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darinh
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 327
Location: Utah
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 Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: Tailwheels: Maule vs. Scott vs. Matco |
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Anyone have experience with these different tailwheel assembiles? What are the pros and cons of each (aside from the cost)? Seems like about 50% of guys like the Maule tailwheel and the other 50% say it has serious shimmy problems and that this is not the case with the Scott. What about the Matco setup?
My last Kitfox had a Maule setup and I must admit, I did have a couple problems with shimmy on landings...nothing major but shimmy none the less. Do the others not shimmy at all or just less?
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_________________
Darin Hawkes
Series 7
914 Turbo
Kaysville, Utah |
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Catz631(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:01 am Post subject: Tailwheels: Maule vs. Scott vs. Matco |
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I had the Maule tailwheel on my Kitfox with the Grove aluminum spring but removed it and replaced it with a 3 leaf spring I obtained from Kitfox. The aluminum spring was far too stiff for operations on my grass runway (and had some reports of breakage) I installed the Matco 6 inch with the 3 leaf steel spring and the weight was within 1/2 pound of the weight removed. The setup has worked fine with the exception of the foot print of the Matco tailwheel.It is about 1/2 the width of the Maule and it makes turning on the grass more difficult as it tends to dig into the sod a little, so I have gone back to the Maule. I have not tested this setup yet as my aircraft is down for modifications but I have no doubt it will be better as it worked fine with the aluminum spring except for the harshness of that spring.
As to shimmy, on other aircraft I have owned it has always been the tailspring that has caused the problem. If the bearings on your wheel and swivel are tight and not sloppy then look to the spring arch. It has a great effect on the axis of the tailwheel unit. My Piper Pacer had a problem with shimmy if I increased the weight in the rear of the aircraft (as did a Cessna 120 I owned) You had to push forward on the yoke to unload it during rollout or it would shake your teeth out. In both cases I bought new tailsprings and the problem was solved. Some guys re arch the springs at a spring shop.
Now don't get me wrong a loose tailwheel,spring,fittings can all cause this problem but in my case,it has been the spring. In any case the 3 leaf spring from John McBean has solved my situation.It has lots of give on grass and makes for a more comfortable ride.
The Scott 3200 wheel is a good one but I suspect a little too heavy (I really haven't thought about it) I had it on my Pacer but went to the Alaska Bush tailwheel as my Scott was pretty beat up and costs a fortune to replace.The bush wheel worked great but I think it is too big and heavy for the Kitfox.Some of the smaller Scotts might work.
Well that's my input.You can throw it into the trash if you like.
Dick Maddux
Fox 4-1200
Pensacola,Fl
Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.
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