They aren't the only one with some questionable ethics. M/T is having some delamination problems and they aren't being real helpful,,, yet. You would think spending 10k plus on a prop would buy you some customer service. I know a couple of Husky pilots that aren't real happy right now.

Mark

Knock on wood... I am really liking my McCauley 2A34C201 right about now. No ADs. No ADs on ANYTHING firewall-forward for that matter... Double knock on wood.

Do any of the Lycoming STCs approve a McCauley constant-speed propeller?

Mark,

Actually, there are a couple of Husky owners who didn't notice that apparently didn't notice that the MT prop is made from a different material than aluminum.

The very few instances of delamination (total of 11, I'm told by MT) are all being fixed by MT at NO COST to the owners. So, those folks will have a little down time, and the expense of pulling and re-installing the prop, but no cost to repair.

I think there was a lot of hype and angst amongst the Husky group, but frankly, I think the problem was WAAAYY overblown.

Note that the MT manual states clearly that a certain amount and type of cracking is acceptable, just as it is in wood props.

They ain't aluminum, in other words.

I'd be happier than all get out if Hartzell offered to fix the "problem" on their hubs for free, even if I had to pay shipping, etc. Instead, they are condemning a whole series of hubs, after only ONE failure. I call that insurance, and job security. The FAA of course, isn't going to deny the "experts" at Hartzell an AD, what do they care?

A VERY different situation than the MT props, as far as customer care goes, and the Husky folks need to understand that.

MTV

Two outta' the three Huskys with the MT props here at Columbia have had delam probs and one is still sitting, without a prop, for two months now, supposedly while MT tries to figure out what is causing the delam. It's not just a cosmetic thing on this one.

Mark

N6EA wrote:Two outta' the three Huskys with the MT props here at Columbia have had delam probs and one is still sitting, without a prop, for two months now, supposedly while MT tries to figure out what is causing the delam. It's not just a cosmetic thing on this one.

Mark

I was talkin' to a neighbor aerobatic pilot yesterday about this very topic. He and other local MT prop users are thinking the trouble may be because MT doesn't kiln dry the wood core of their props. It can be a real problem in an enviroment where the relative humidity is very low (like here in AZ). If MT could find a way to hermetically seal the prop core - or find a core material that doesn't expand and contract with moisture uptake and release - maybe these problems would go away.

My neighbor thinks they're going to be lucky if they get 500 hrs out of the MT prop that's mounted on their YAK 55. It's already showing transverse crazing in the thick part of the airfoil and signs of delam after just 300 hrs - yes, I know, hangin' a YAK 55 on it is going to shorten any prop's life.

___________________________

Waiting for the infamous thread hacker...

All conjecture, but a couple of AI / AP's were theorizing that the lyc 360 is pretty hard on them also do to the vibration band that your supposed to avoid and the fact that Husky's are not as likely to avoid the no-no band as other aircraft.

Mark

BTW, now that we have completed the hijacking of this thread, maybe our fearless leader could move this one also...

Thanks Zane

The "no continuous operation" rpm range does not apply to the MT prop on the O-360.

The "delamination" issue is with the leading edge, NOT with the prop itself.

There were some blistering issues earlier on these props, which are presumed to be due to sap from the wood working its way out through the sheath, which is carbon fiber. That is primarily cosmetic.

Granted, there are a FEW MT props that have exhibited some problems.

Personally, I think they got in a hurry and put out a bad batch of props.

It is worthy of note that some of their early props in this series have over 900 hours on them to date, with no delamination, no blisters, no cracks.

My point, once again, was that at least MT is trying to find the problem, and is replacing faulty props.

Hartzell says, congratulations--buy another hub. Oh, and we'll give you (and every other schmuck out there) a super special deal and sell you a hub for half price.

Gee, thanks.

I'd switch to an MT in a heartbeat if they were approved on my airplane.

MTV

mtv wrote:The "no continuous operation" rpm range does not apply to the MT prop on the O-360. MTV

MTV,

As I related, it was a discussion I was involved in with a couple AI / AP's and even if the "no continuous operation" doesn't apply, the fact that the O-360 can be rough at certain rpm's was being kicked around as a possible contributing cause. (No proof ) Maybe time (and research) will tell. I would agree that MT makes a great product and hopefully they'll take care of the problems and customers alike. So far, I can only relate what the Husky guys and a couple of mechanics are saying and it hasn't been all that great. But, it's second hand and the frustration level is pretty high as the days grow short and the air starts to cool and your Husky sits idle while your 10k plus prop is back at the factory...

Actually, I'd also love to have an MT for my plane, but I don't see Franklin powered Maules as being a real big seller for MT.

Mark