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stuart(at)harnerfarm.net
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 Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:13 am Post subject: New tail wheel |
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Well, I did manage to buy a new tail wheel and adjustable rear spar bracket
for the Firefly. $ well spent at the factory.
Breakaway swiveling tail wheel is a really neat design. Better wheel and
well built. Probably weights a tiny bit more but won't know the actual
numbers until I get them both on the scales. I can't imagine the impact on
CG will even be measurable.
The new wheel is wider and has larger bearings spaced farther apart. It
should reduce twisting/shearing forces on the tail leg/spring bolts. Time
will tell.
Stuart
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Richard Pike
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Blountville, Tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: New tail wheel |
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My initial response would be "Anything would be better that the stock tailwheel" but then I got to thinking -
What if you extended the lever arms off the bottom of the rudder, made them longer, and shortened the arms of the tailwheel bracket a bit?
Now the (light) factory tail wheel & assembly would be able to turn tighter, and by so doing, put less stress on the rest of the stock assembly?
(Since I am in the process of trying to build a genuine Part 103 legal Firefly, topics such as this are especially interesting to me)
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_________________
Richard Pike
Kolb MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)
Kingsport, TN 3TN0
Forgiving is tough, being forgiven is wonderful, and God's grace really is amazing. |
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stuart(at)harnerfarm.net
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 7:46 am Post subject: New tail wheel |
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Interesting idea but IMHO I don't think that will help you much. What you
are proposing will make the tail wheel turn more (theoretically up to 90°)
but does nothing for the swivel function.
The stock tail wheel does a good enough job. In fact it works perfectly on
pavement and handles a well-groomed grass strip just fine. I was surprised
at how well the Firefly handles on the ground without the use of brakes. The
stock wheel also was about the lightest thing you could have on the tail
except a skid.
The problem with the stock tail wheel is that it does not swivel and it is
so narrow that it has a tendency to dig into soft surfaces.
The new tail wheel will unlock from the rudder and act as a true caster
wheel. If you have differential braking this should allow you to pivot
around either main wheel with just a tap of the brakes once you are rolling
at least a little bit. It will auto lock back into the straight forward
position once you release the brakes and roll a short distance.
The other great advantage of a swiveling tail wheel is the ability to push
it backwards when maneuvering around in a hangar. With the wings are
extended all you have to do is pick up the tail boom and walk. However, with
the wings folded your options are limited. In my case, I fold every time and
push the Firefly uphill into a narrow opening.
Lastly the new tail wheel is about twice as wide as the stock one, which
means it should not dig into soft ground as much.
Unfortunately it will be next spring before I find out if all of the above
is correct.
Stuart
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Rex Rodebush
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 209
Location: Branson West area, Missouri
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 8:13 am Post subject: Re: New tail wheel |
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My tailwheel mods were on an Xtra so don't know how much would be applicable to a Firefly.
Had many, many problems with my tailwheel. Finally found the right combination that would give me good control in a crosswind and still be able to release to make a tight turn if needed. Tried many combinations of linkage ratios, springs, and mounts. The tailwheel pivot angle should be vertical or tilted back a few degrees. I had to make a custom mount to achieve that. I also went to a 6" pneumatic wheel. See attached pictures.
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neilsenrm(at)gmail.com
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 9:07 am Post subject: New tail wheel |
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Rex/All
Interesting. Looks to be a bit of work making it work. The solid rubber tail wheel I have makes a pronounced thump going over runway expansion joints.
I used the factory optional full swivel tail wheel. The factory setup was easier to mount but not ideal. They supplied light springs which allowed the tail wheel to rotate enough to unlock but also unlocked when I didn't want it to.
It looks like Rex had to adjust the ratio to get his to unlock also. The factory optional tail wheel allowed me to drill holes in board to attach the control chains so the tail wheel would unlock. I then installed compression springs. No more unlocking in cross wind taxi.
I see Rex left some slack in the control chains. I'm old enough to remember cars that had slop in the steering and never liked it. My tail wheel chains are just short of tight. I can taxie fairly fast on hard surfaces, even turning onto taxiways at speed with confidence.
Rick Neilsen
Redrive VW Powered MKIIIC
On Sun, Dec 4, 2016 at 11:13 AM, Rex Rodebush <jrrodebush(at)gmail.com (jrrodebush(at)gmail.com)> wrote:
| Quote: | --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Rex Rodebush" <jrrodebush(at)gmail.com (jrrodebush(at)gmail.com)>
My tailwheel mods were on an Xtra so don't know how much would be applicable to a Firefly.
Had many, many problems with my tailwheel. Finally found the right combination that would give me good control in a crosswind and still be able to release to make a tight turn if needed. Tried many combinations of linkage ratios, springs, and mounts. The tailwheel pivot angle should be vertical or tilted back a few degrees. I had to make a custom mount to achieve that. I also went to a 6" pneumatic wheel. See attached pictures.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=463677#463677
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http://forums.matronics.com//files/img_20150730_140801233_344.jpg
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Herbgh(at)nctc.com
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 9:23 am Post subject: New tail wheel |
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Stuart
Send a pic of the tail wheel...and what is the damage for one at
Kolb? Herb
On 12/04/2016 09:45 AM, Stuart Harner wrote:
| Quote: |
Interesting idea but IMHO I don't think that will help you much. What you
are proposing will make the tail wheel turn more (theoretically up to 90°)
but does nothing for the swivel function.
The stock tail wheel does a good enough job. In fact it works perfectly on
pavement and handles a well-groomed grass strip just fine. I was surprised
at how well the Firefly handles on the ground without the use of brakes. The
stock wheel also was about the lightest thing you could have on the tail
except a skid.
|
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Rex Rodebush
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 209
Location: Branson West area, Missouri
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: New tail wheel |
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Rick is correct about the slack connections. I tightened them up after some more tests after the picture was taken. I forgot to mention that.
Rex
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