Here's the 8.50x6 mains

Here's the GarAero tailwheel

Here's the Binford 9000 Stogie lighter. That's Wayne lightin' up

He won't look at the camera cuz he has no eyebrows.
The right main gear leg was a little sloppy so while I had it apart I shimmed it up. Taxi was a little squirrely but it might have been the mud and the bigger t/w just does what it wants to. The double puck brakes are very effective. I couldn't tell any thing about speed with the wind and turbulence. Stead AWOS said wind 230 at 22kts when we landed but I had lots of rudder left. I think I'll go fly it again tomorrow to some pavement to see how it handles.

McCreary cheapos. They're okay for the money. I'm done with 6.00 McCreary's as very few are round. I checked the 8.50's out with the Mark 1 eyeball and they are round and true.

What size tire does the GarAero t/w use? I've seen them but I can't recall just how big it is-- hard to get a good idea of size from your photo. Is it about like the ABW t/w tire? And does it use the stock Scott 3200 wheel?

Eric

I know you weren't asking me but, I have one on my plane, and it's 4.00X4. I'll sell you the whole assy if you're interested. Just PM me.
Jeff

Dave, kudos for dropping the panties. It takes a big man to let it hang out!.
Kurt

Happy trails now! The terms "backcountry" and "wheel pants" never went together very well anyhow. Now you've got come and meet me near Owyhee, I've got some places the 8.50's can handle, even in the open!

Glad you're "commando" now! Welcome to the club! Hehehe...

M

Flew it today, turn coordinator a full bubble off. Thought the tailwheel was cocked to the right. Had a buddy in a 172 (Bush Conversion with a franklin 220) fly behind me to see. He said it was straight. So I landed and "reformed" the rudder trim and flew again. Opposite problem. I also loosened up the the friction nut and and the ground handling it much better. I forgot to look at the tailwheel tire size but it uses the same 4" Scott wheel as the standard 3400. The 3400 is the same as the 3200 except the 3400 has a tube spring instead of a leaf spring. The Gar fork and tire looks exactly like the AKB except the tire is ribbed. The rolling resistance with the big tires is way less than the small. The speed penalty is 5-6 kts. Is Owyhee Reservoir still open? I've been to the Hilton....cool place

There was water on about the middle 200 or so feet of the runway when I went over last sunday.

I adjusted the trim tab and the friction preload. Cruises with the ball in the middle with feet on the floor. Tailwheel steering is more sluggish than it used to be. It will indicate 125 kts at normal cruise power settings so the speed loss is 3-4 knots. The brakes are incredible.

Here's the tailwheel

And the Gar's

I get to go to Ely tomorrow so we'll have time to check everthing out real good.

Those 8.50's sans pants make 9SD look beefy tough. Notice any change in 3-point attitude? There was a guy on the C170 site who went from 6.00x6+pants to 6x8.00's and said the site picture while landing was a tad different took some getting used to.

Z

I didn't notice any changes other than the whole airplane is higher off the ground. I did a couple wheelies and it touched sooner than I expected. I think the attitude on the ground is really close to what it used to be. We'll see what happens whe I put the 8.50x10's on.
Dave

I noticed when I went from 600's to 800's that I had to focus more on "pulling" when 3-pointing to make sure the mains didn't hit first. Just that little bit of difference in height between the 600 & 800 had me touching down slightly mains-first ( then on to porposing action) unless I really kept the full back-pressure going til it was all thru flying. I imagine that's even more the case with 850-6's, 850-10's, and BW's.
I sure like the looks of that fat tailwheel for beach op's.

Eric

Dave, are the GarAero 850-10's the ones that use the stock Cleveland (or McCauley) wheels with plastic adapters? Do the adapters glue on, or what?
Also, is that a tailwheel lock I see in the looking forward pic of the t/w?

Eric

Eric,
Negative on the tailwheel lock. The Gar adapters glue on to a Cleaveland wheel and they appear to be metal altough I bought mine used and they were pre-assembled and complete with tires. I got the STC from Gary in AK.
I have not installed them on the plane yet because it looks like a real PIA to get the brake behind the rotor.
Dave

Dave I'll buy those Gar's back in a heartbeat then you won't have to worry about the brake pad situation! :>)
Let me know!

For those that asked the wheel adapters are quality aluminum and are epoxied to the standard Cleveland wheel. Installed with 8:50-10 tires and 8:50-6 tubes, I got them from Desser. They will slow you down a bit and are heavy, about 37# per assembly.

It is not too bad getting the pucks lined up. Do be aware that if a small rock jams between the caliper and expander rim, the rim can come unglued and cause a real problem. Schnieder used bolts on his expander rims with a spacer inside between them (aluminium pipe section).They did'nt break away.
If you want to remove the rim from wheel someday, then heat in an oven to 350deg and drop on a wood surface and the glue will separate.
Jeremy

Where are you guys getting your 8.50 tubes, I can not find any. My understanding is that they are not making this tube and the new manufacturer is having qa/qc problems.