Matronics Email Lists Forum Index Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
 
 Get Email Distribution Too!Get Email Distribution Too!    FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

HDS Gear.

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
napierm(at)cisco.com
Guest
PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:51 am    Post subject: HDS Gear. Reply with quote
Hello,


I just bought and flew back Cliff Gromer's 601HDS from upstate NY down to GA. This is the Popular Mechanics plane from 1997. It has a few squawks but is very pretty and flies nice.


On landing on our grass strip I discover that the bungie main struts are very stiff. The roll out is a pogo stick ride. Now the heavier planes with spring gear or oleo struts don't jolt like this down the runway. Even the Kitfox III with bungie gear wasn't this rough.


I can push down on one wing to lift the other main off of the ground and shake the plane and still that main strut does not move. Cliff says this is normal and that it is stiff.


Is this everyone's experience? It seems like the mains should give a little. Has anyone tried softening them up somehow?


Thanks in advance,


Mark Napier

[quote][b]

- The Matronics Zenith-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?Zenith-List
Back to top
Tom McCarthy



Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Posts: 15
Location: 61C
PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 4:04 am    Post subject: HDS Gear. Reply with quote
HI Mark,

Congratulations on your new plane. My HD rides just as stiff as you describe on grass strips, but I do see the gear struts go up and down a bit as it rolls. You may want to make sure that nothing is binding and lubricate the guides generously. Since I built it, I have changed the bungees once and tried several different tires. I have also added nylon bushings to smooth it out a bit. I am considering going to wider forks and changing the rims/tires to get more tire under there to soften it up a bit, but not in the near future.
Tom McCarthy

N514TM 601HD
N441TM Firestar
N863 GB Slingshot

- The Matronics Zenith-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?Zenith-List

_________________
Tom McCarthy
N514TM Zenith 601HD
N414TM Kolb FireStar 1
N863GB Kolb Slingshot
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
crazycarp27(at)yahoo.com
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 4:29 am    Post subject: HDS Gear. Reply with quote
I guess I never consider how stiff it was, but my 601HDS is a tail dragger but I would agree with Tom.
I do keep the tires a little under inflated to help soften them.
John
N371JC
From: McCarthy Tom <mccarthy(at)jefnet.com>
To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2012 8:04 AM
Subject: Re: HDS Gear.


--> Zenith-List message posted by: McCarthy Tom <mccarthy(at)jefnet.com (mccarthy(at)jefnet.com)>

HI Mark,

Congratulations on your new plane. My HD rides just as stiff as you describe on grass strips, but I do see the gear struts go up and down a bit as it rolls. You may want to make sure that nothing is binding and lubricate the guides generously.  Since I built it, I have changed the bungees once and tried several different tires. I have also added nylon bushings to smooth it out a bit. I am considering going to wider forks and changing the rims/tires  to get more tire under there to soften it up a bit, but not in the near future.
Tom McCarthy

N514TM 601HD
N441TM Firestar
bsp; - The Zenith-List Email cs.com/Navigator?Zenith-List" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Na= - MATRONICS WEB FORUMS; ================




[quote][b]

- The Matronics Zenith-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?Zenith-List
Back to top
s.clive.richards(at)homec
Guest
PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:13 pm    Post subject: HDS Gear. Reply with quote
Hi Mark
I agree with Tom we have however recently fitted a plastic pipe to the nose leg with hose clips, this will hit the bottom bearing and so limit travel to about 3 inches we find this greatly reduces the nodding effect when we land on rough grass strips which is not very often.

I believe allowing the bungee to stretch to far starts an oscillation and their is not much damping it also maintains prop clearance which we are worried about.

Do not use a high tyre pressure Ray normaly sets this by looking at them I think 25 to 30 psi max.

Clive
G CBDG 601HD 540 hrs continental 0-200
[quote] ---

- The Matronics Zenith-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?Zenith-List
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-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


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group