Manual Transmission

CAIX SG

I am not sure if it is MB 0306 or 0309. The bus outside shows only the MB logo only, thats why I'm not sure. I think it looks like MB 0309.

hseochin SG

If the front of the bus has a short bonnet with single piece windscreen with 2 horizontally resting wipers, then most certainly it's O 309.

Most of the O 309 here used the original M-B body up to the front bonnet region, with the rest of the body done by 3rd party local bodybuilders.
Many of them should have the chrome O 309 model designation on both sides on the M-B part of the body, unless i'll say these were stolen by some sovenior hunters !!

CAIX SG

You are right, my school bus fits your description. It must be a 0309. The schoolbus's interior is very old and its engine is at the front. Another thing is that the bus entrance and exit open and close door botton is the old fashion one, its like a leaver, pull the "stick" up to open door and pull it down to close the door. Quite unique.

hseochin SG

From what i remember, the O 309 here originally didn't have any auto passenger door & it was open all the time when the bus was used. Only much later on did they retrofit a pneumatic operated door but no stick was used instead the valve tap was like the swing type, like that used in laboratory gas supply taps.

I think the stick type here were original fittings & only used by the Japanese buses like Hino & Nissan Diesel. Never saw it on any O 309 here.

The O 306 however came with original auto doors with quite different operating switches. It was the 'silent' type (but i don't think it's hydraulic though possible) with hardly any air sound when the doors open/close unlike the other types which were noisy when operating. To open a door the driver had to press down a button located near the parking brake & to close the same button had to be pulled upwards. 1 button for each door.

iveco SG

If I'm not wrong, the B57s also had a similar system in place.

The_Bus_Guide SG

Ooh, I remember those door levers. The swing type of lever was the standard on almost all of the SBS buses. The old ones on the Soon Chow buses really look like a gas supply tap. But the ones on the OF1417 and B57 is a slim metallic rod with a black/red blob at the end. The switch type on the Nissan and Hino was short. On most buses, extensions were fitted in the form of metal rods or rubber hoses. Extensions were fitted on the Atlantean too, whose lever was originally located near the knee level onthe left. These were later replaced with the push/pull type located under the window on the right; ditto for the B57 and 1417.

As regards to the O306, I remember those push/pull buttons. Sometimes they were tied to a string. The driver would just tug on the string to close the door. I don't recall encountering a silent one. Once the driver push/pull the button, it will give a short and sharp "PISH" then "BANG" went the door. It gave me the shocks but I love that old bus because of the high seats.

CAIX SG

Yes yes, thats the one, the "door levers" and it looks like a gas tap. You're right. I like to play with those handles when I sits the school bus Laughing .

hseochin SG

I believe those Volvo used the swing lever type mounted on the right to the driver since there were no driver's door. It should be ~ 2 inch long black colour short rod ending with a ball knob mounted horizontally. Both doors open & close using the same lever swinging to 4 possible positions.

hseochin SG

I don't find the metal levers protruding vertically towards the standing passengers/driver safe to even think about ! Maybe that's why they subsequently added some rubber hoses to the tips of the levers so that not so easy for the metal levers to poke into one's eye or body if there's emergency brake & everybody's thrown to the front !! I definitely mark those Japanese designs DOWN & out for such poor passive safety considerations ! I believe those Japanese buses here used such long protruding metal rods from the centre region of the dashboard as standard equipment & no extensions were fitted, only some flexible rubber hoses to make the levers look less dangerous !

The OF 1417 used the short horizontally mounted swing type lever ending with a ball knob type located in front of the gear selector next to the engine & not on the right side window area since there's the driver's door unlike the Volvo which didn't have any.

The O 306 door switches did emit some slight air noise when actuated but almost no air noise when the doors were actually opening/closing. That's why i considered them (relatively) silent compared to the others whereby there's plenty of air noise still while the doors were opening/closing. The original M-B body doors were relatively solid & heavy & i believe due to accumulation of dirt etc. on the door travel guide made the doors harder to move hence the sudden 'bangs' to shut them. I liked the O 306 mainly due to its solid body compared to any other of its time here ! Hardly any ratting or squeaking noises , certainly no cracking noises unlike some of today's lousier bodies !
That's original M-B standard of bus construction so in hindsight i'm not surprised.
Almost all the other buses here then with 3rd party local bodies rattled & squeaked terribly despite the noisy engines which the norm those days !!!! That made the O 306 an overall relatively quieter bus to ride on too !

The photo of the O 306 shown on your website does not show the full original condition of the O 306 here. The O 306 i remember has original M-B radiator grill with their famous mesh pattern (like on their cars of the time) together with rectangular headlamps with chrome surrounds. The star logo was positioned lower down the grill & the M-B coin badge above the grill on the body itself.
Your photo probably shows a 'repaired' O 306 with much of the original trimmings 'pinched' !!

The_Bus_Guide SG

The swing lever was repalaced by two push/pull switches when the buses were near their retirement age. These switches were also used to replace the original swing lever on the older Atlanteans and also on the OF1417. If I remember correctly, it was pull to open and push to close.

The_Bus_Guide SG

The original levers on the Japanese buses were very short; I'd say about the length your little finger. Those long metal rods were actually the lever plus the extension, added for easier access. They were located on the left, level with the dashboard. The location of the levers, although obstructed somewhat by the steering wheel, can be seen below.

http://suhirman.fotopic.net/p10788509.html

I don't think passengers will tumble there as the drivers cab is cordoned by a metal tube. Mr. Green As for quiet doors, it would be on the Atlanteans. The entrance door on many Atlanteans just creaks open, without a whish of air!

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