Best way to Lift up the tail wheel

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Jetmart

What is the loose eye bolt used for that is sitting on the leg of the stand?

Originally Posted by rv8ch

Sam explains in another thread that this is safety lock on the mechanism when the tail is up. He has some holes strategically drilled at the right height.

Yes, the eye bolt is inserted into a hole in the rail as a safety lock.

[olyolson]

1) Harbor Freight winch
2) Home Depot wheels
3) fuselage jig wood

I like this idea but the Tinypic doesn?t show the picture

[Ted RV8]

Originally Posted by DeeCee 57

I have a bad back which as as strange as it sounds doesn't heal with age. Since Tailmate has gone awry, I decided to build a replacement whilst trying to minimise the amount of work...

Bought a MoJack EZ - Residential Riding Lawn Mower Lift as they call it, and had some welding done to it.
Christened it yesterday for a 50H inspection and this gadget works real good

That?s a really nice set up. Had to be pretty pricey though. Looks like the MoJack is $300.00 then cost of the modifications!

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by Ted RV8

That?s a really nice set up. Had to be pretty pricey though. Looks like the MoJack is $300.00 then cost of the modifications!

$300 is about one hour of a club piper in Switzerland.

[hgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Ted RV8

.... Looks like the MoJack is $300.00...

$180 at Amazon, but you do still need to modify it. Good excuse to get that TIG welder you always wanted!

[RV7 To Go]

Originally Posted by Jetmart

What is the approximate weight of the tail?

If memory serves, my 7 was 73 lbs in flight attitude empty. It was 130 lbs with full fuel and about 30 lbs baggage in 3 pt attitude. Wondered why it was so heavy to lift...

I build the wooden lift using some 2x4s and plywood I had kicking around and bought the winch on sale at Princess Auto for $20. Works great!

[Scott Hersha]

I?ve had the ?tailmate? for 20 years, 5 RV taildraggers, and it has performed perfectly - and still is performing. I consider it a necessary tool. Money well spent.

[DeeCee 57]

Jetmart, have even less weight on my tail (...) 30kg = 66lbs, problem is also the rudder getting into the way... and my back

rv8ch, afraid of termites (), good reason I sold that Falco #2..., still kudos on Sam?s design!
And who the hell?s gonna go rental on a whatever Piper when you have an RV?

Ted RV8, yeah d..n pricey, but so is my body, and LIFE?s short...

Scott, agree. I?d have spent twice the $$$ asked for it, unfortunately not on the market anymore...

[n82rb]

i just built a small table the right height, with a hole for the tail wheel to sit in. pic up the tail, push the table under it and set it down. 10 bucks worth of lumber if you have to buy it.

bob burns
RV-4 N82Rb

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by n82rb

i just built a small table the right height, with a hole for the tail wheel to sit in. pic up the tail, push the table under it and set it down. 10 bucks worth of lumber if you have to buy it.

bob burns
RV-4 N82Rb

I have a tail stand about 3' tall made from a 4x4 with 1x6 legs that I used for over 15 years to prop up the tail of my RV-6. Just grab the tail spring and rest it on the tail stand.

Until I found it increasingly uncomfortable, and risky to my aging back, to grab the tail spring and raise the tail to level. That is when the tailwheel hoist made its appearance in my hangar. It is really nice to be able to get the plane in a level attitude without any lifting.

If a pilot is still in physical condition to yank on the tail spring, that is the quickest way to raise the tail. But for some of us the personal odometer has rolled over enough times to make that an undesirable option.