Anyone want to comment on whether they think the "baby bushwheel" tailwheel is worth the investment? I already have a Scott. Seems like unless the plane is loaded to gross that the Scott will provide plenty of floatation.

I don't have one yet, but I will as soom as my IA tells me that my tailwheel is wearing out.

The price of 3400 parts is reason enough to have a baby bushwheel

Absolutely, wouldn't leave home without it, for backcountry/off airport/sand/rocks
Gary

Yes, 100% satisfaction guaranteed. I know of plenty of folks that said it makes a bigger difference than putting big tires the mains.

I am on my 1st one. I won't go back to the skinny style. When the BBW wears out I am going to try one of the cheap tube type. I am not a working bush pilot. I am just a weekend warrior.

Good day

The Gae Aero (Alaska Tundra Tire now?) fat t/w kit costs quite a bit less than the ABW, & uses a much cheaper tube-style 400x4 ribbed tire.

My concern with the other/cheaper/similar tires would be would it stay on the rim at lower air pressures. That has always been a problem with the stock tailwheel tires.
I have spoke with the owner of the company and he won't run them under 30#'s on his C170.
I like the fact that you can run the BBW at lower pressures and let it absorb the irregularities of the landing surfaces.
G

I haven't installed any of the Baby Bushwheels, but have installed a bunch of the GarAero fat tailwheels and everyone that got one was totally amazed at how much stress they absorb compared to the narrow tire. I've installed 6 on PA22 taildraggers, and it makes a whole different plane out of it on the dirt. Another one that we did that really needed it was a Citabria..very heavy on the tail, and they love it! I'm sure the Baby Bushwheel is well worth the $$.
John

Virtually all of my landings are off runway and a lot of them are on gravel bars, sandy beaches, muddy surfaces, and snow. The BBW or its equivalent is the only tire that I feel totally confidant will float with the terrain and minimize the chances of damage or a flat. The Scott TW just won't cut it in the long run on all of these surface types.

Thanks Guys

Now my credit card is gonna need a tampon, again. That pizza cutter 3200 on the Mighty 172TD just ain't cutting it here in the desert dirt, and I'm about to turn it into a boat anchor. The question now is $750 vs $1750.

Decisions, decisions....

Gump

GumpAir wrote:Thanks Guys

Now my credit card is gonna need a tampon, again. That pizza cutter 3200 on the Mighty 172TD just ain't cutting it here in the desert dirt, and I'm about to turn it into a boat anchor. The question now is $750 vs $1750.

Decisions, decisions....

Gump

Cut loose ya tight ass, it's not like you have any alimony payments.............Oh wait...........

Since you already have a 3200, $975 gets you the fork kit and tire.

The Baby Bushwheel works great in sand and soft stuff. I have to taxi about half a mile to get to the runway and the BBW was showing wear fast due to rubber squirm. Switched to the tire and tube option and it works great. Same floatation profile and deals with tarmac fine.

When I bought mine, I opted for just the wide fork and spacer instead of getting the whole thing. In retrospect, it would have been better to get the complete assembly as AKB's quality is significantly better than later Scott stuff.

If anyone is interested I know of a gar aero set up for sale minus the tire & tube. Everything to convert your 3200 or 3400(minus the field approval). PM me if interested.


Dave

blackrock wrote:Since you already have a 3200, $975 gets you the fork kit and tire.

Bad advice Gump. You will definitely want to get the complete tailwheel because the rest of that old pos tailwheel won't be able to handle the bigger tire. I'll help you by throwing away the old boat anchor

I do love the look of the baby bushwheel, but IMO they aren't needed unless you have a heavy tailed airplane. I would definitely put one on a 170, but my mighty tcart will probably end up with a standard 3200 (if I can find a good one).

The Bushwheel tail wheel works great. Tracks nicely and dose not dig in like the scott wheel dose on soft sand or a soft field. In the snow at times it floats all to well. They work well with the 31" Bush wheels..

Ken in Alaska

I've got the Gar-Aero tailwheel on my '52 C170B. I've a good friend with a '56 170B that has the Scott 3200. Big difference when we are off airport. My tail does not sink in like his does and I accelerate better 'till the tail comes up. I haven't had the pleasure of flying an ABW tailwheel but think the higher pressure Gar-Aero with tube and tire is maybe a better choice if you spend much time on asphalt. The extra flotation that you get with either tailwheel on soft ground is a definite plus in a heavy tail airplane.

Bill
N2575D

I had a Gar Aero with Baby Bushwheel on it until it failed, the casting broke clean through just above the axle bolt on both sides, I had to go looking for the tire and wheel. I am not sure if the Alaskan Bushwheel fork would have held up either because it hit sideways to a large rock on landing (one problem with a full casting tailwheel). I am sure the ABW wide fork is superior to the Gar Aero as far as the design of the casting, more meat and more clearance, since I switched to the Alaskan Bushwheel wide fork and have had no problem since.

There is a huge difference in the soft feel of the Baby Bushwheel in comparison to the wide tire with tube but the tire and tube will work for most people I am sure.

Greg

the baby bushwheel is necessary in my opinion because it doesent throw as much rock up in front for your prop to blast over your tail feathers. somone told me this, probably Wup, and I didnt really believe it until I watched some gravel landing video closely and its amazing how many little rocks get tossed up by the little treaded tire.
also if you get the heavy duty steering arm and the short release pall it makes a huge improvement to the steering on the 170B I assume the 172TD as well.
one of the STCs requires at least 26in mains I think its the ABW but I would check first.

oops my finger stuttered