Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Kolb Tailwheel

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kolb-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Dennis Kirby

Joined: 05 Dec 2013
Posts: 35
Location: Albuquerque, NM

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:20 pm Post subject: Kolb Tailwheel

"Guideman" wrote: << I wanted to ask you where you got your larger tailwheel, mine is still the small one and I would like to put the larger one on , any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Keith >>



Keith -



Like you, I also wanted a tailwheel that was somewhat beefier that the stock "pizza cutter" wheel that comes with the Mark-3 kit.  I bought a new full-swivel tailwheel assembly from Rans for about $250, and it uses a 3.5 inch diam solid rubber wheel.  It has worked flawlessly for the past 250 hours of operation on my Kolb.  The Rans unit is designed to attach to a 1-1/4 inch wide steel leaf spring.  But Kolbs use a 3/4 inch diameter solid alum rod instead of a flat leaf spring.  So ...



As John H described, I also had to fabricate an "interface" piece that attaches to the end of the stock tailwheel strut and fits right into to Rans assembly where the flat leaf spring would go.



Matco Mfg (in Salt Lake City) also makes a similar tailwheel assembly for $200 that uses a 6-inch pneumatic wheel.  It's designed for a flat leaf spring, so you'd still have to make an interface part to fit on your Mark-3.



Not sure if Kolb Company makes a full-swiveling tailwheel assembly.  Anyone know?  Anyway, there ARE options available, if you want to upgrade your tailwheel.



Dennis Kirby

Mark-3 / 912ul

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:51 pm Post subject: Kolb Tailwheel

Kolb Aircraft has full swiveling tail wheels.



I flew my first flight to Alaska with a MATCO tail wheel.  It was not

satisfactory.  I got rid of it as soon as I got home.



john h

mkIII

Titus, Alabama



--

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:51 am Post subject: Kolb Tailwheel

--

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

neilsenrm(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:26 am Post subject: Kolb Tailwheel

I have been using the Kolb full swiveling tail wheel for over ten years and it is great.



I did modify it a bit. The springs that came with it were too weak. When taxiing in a cross wind it would unlock way too easy. Very embarrassing and frustrating. Changed to compression springs but then it wouldn't unlock at all. Finally drilled new spring holes in the tail wheel bell crank the same spacing as the rudder. Now I get very positive control of the tail wheel and it doesn't unlock till I want it to. 

Rick Neilsen

Redrive VW Powered MKIIIC

On Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 10:51 AM, John Hauck <jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com (jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com)> wrote:

[quote]--> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" <jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com (jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com)>

 

 

 

 --

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

lcottrell

Joined: 29 May 2006
Posts: 1494
Location: Jordan Valley, Or

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:43 am Post subject: Kolb Tailwheel

On Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 9:26 AM, Rick Neilsen <neilsenrm(at)gmail.com (neilsenrm(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  I have been using the Kolb full swiveling tail wheel for over ten years and it is great.



I did modify it a bit. The springs that came with it were too weak. When taxiing in a cross wind it would unlock way too easy. Very embarrassing and frustrating. Changed to compression springs but then it wouldn't unlock at all. Finally drilled new spring holes in the tail wheel bell crank the same spacing as the rudder. Now I get very positive control of the tail wheel and it doesn't unlock till I want it to. 

Rick Neilsen

Redrive VW Powered MKIIIC

 	  Quote: 	
		  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	




	
I also use one of these tail wheels, but for me it released way too soon. I solved the problem by taking the assembly apart and "hogging" out some to the alum that caused it to break away. (there is a ball bearing that is released when the tail wheel is moved beyond about 20 degrees) In essence I modified it so that it would not release until I used full rudder. This is after trying to taxi on a high volume runway in a 15 MPH crosswind. The tail wheel broke loose and I ended up doing two "doughnuts" in the middle of the runway, much to the alarm of the tower personnel.  

Larry





-- 

If you forward this email, or any part of it, please remove my email address before sending.

 



  [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

_________________
do not archive

Guideman

Joined: 31 Oct 2013
Posts: 23

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:19 am Post subject: Re: Kolb Tailwheel

Just wanted to say thanks to all that reply to the new guys. Very helpful group. I can't believe how nice most everyone here is and willing to help everyone. It makes it fun to ask questions and not feel stupid. 

 I also will say , the pictures you add of you modifications you guys make are really helpful .

Great bunch of people.

Keith

- The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kolb-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum