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11-09-2007, 03:22 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
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Big Tires...
Guys,
After landing my Harmon Rocket 2 on my rough, short and sometimes gooey swamp airstrip and having my 500 X 5 tires dig in and get my attention a few times I needed something new. Thanks to Steve Sampson, I used his idea and installed a set of 380 X 150 X 5 tires from Desser tire and vans pressure recovery pants on my Rocket. Steve's site shows nice pictures of the installation on his -4, the Rocket was very similar in fit and finish.
On the first flight the difference was amazing, really improved soft field handling, performance and looks better too, like they are the right tire for the HR2! I don't ever scrape my wheelpants on rocks or muddy ground and on asphalt it handles even better than before. I didn't lose one knot of speed over my previously closely faired Sam James pants and I think it may even be faster up high.
I will upload some pictures of the final product for your perusal. Again, THANKS Steve!!!
Rob Ray
HR2 "Bush Mod"
Last edited by smokyray : 11-09-2007 at 03:27 AM.
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11-09-2007, 09:14 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 321
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The Greeen Swamp Aerodrome
Rob,
Don't be dissin the Swamp...I've mowed that runway a bunch, and miss my tractor therapy.
Tell Suzanne I said hello.
Tim
__________________
Timothy Cone
Sierra Skypark (KE79) Fresno CA
RV-8, XP360, RV200
Flown Sept. 12, 2007
1600 hours on the hobbs and loving it
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11-09-2007, 09:54 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Sampson
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Thanks for the heads up on these tires, Steve.
__________________
RV-12 Build Helper
RV-7A...Sold #70374
The RV-8...Sold #83261
I'm in, dues paid 2019 This place is worth it!
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11-10-2007, 09:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
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AM bushwheels for HR2...
Steve, One thing I found on the bigger tires was brake pad clearance is reduced with Cleveland brakes. I placed thin washers under my brake caliper rotor where it meets the wheel. So far after 25 hours the tires work very well especially when rolling over fireant mounds..  Tim, you need to come visit after a tropical storm has passed through. (Fd33 is gooey!)
Btw, the grass could use some mowing, when are you coming back?
Smokey
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11-11-2007, 12:47 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 105
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please post some pics.
I wonder what the weight delta is?
I am curious.
Thx
__________________
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TGudz
EP, TX
RV7
Wire/Elec Phase
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11-11-2007, 07:45 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire, England
Posts: 1,050
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Smokey - I am really struggling to understand why you needed the thin washer. Was the part that holds the outer pad (top left in the attached picture) brushing against the tire?
http://bp0.blogger.com/_n0oPgd-_rrk/...h/HPIM1254.jpg
It appears to have adequate room in my case. I cant think what other problem could occur. The problem is exacerbated by the fact 'the brake caliper rotor' conveys nothing to me.
Thanks Steve.
"T" - you asked for pictures. Scroll down to my previous post. You will also find the weight delta.
Last edited by Steve Sampson : 11-11-2007 at 07:47 AM.
Reason: re arrange info - ambiguity
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11-11-2007, 08:50 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: DVT
Posts: 238
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Sampson
Smokey - I am really struggling to understand why you needed the thin washer. Was the part that holds the outer pad (top left in the attached picture) brushing against the tire?
http://bp0.blogger.com/_n0oPgd-_rrk/...h/HPIM1254.jpg
It appears to have adequate room in my case. I cant think what other problem could occur. The problem is exacerbated by the fact 'the brake caliper rotor' conveys nothing to me.
Thanks Steve.
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Steve,
That clearance is closer than you may realize. When side loads are applied to the tire the tire will rub and possibly bind on the brake caliper. This is a common problem with planes using Bushwheels and the fix is usually a spacer between the wheel and the brake disk. The spacer I used on my 6" Maule wheels was a approx 1/8" thick ring the same dimensions as the inside of the brake disk where it meets the wheel. That 1/8" extra caliper clearance is operationally significant. Could probably use a thinner spacer on the smaller tires and wheels like Smokey did and get the job done. You might be surprised at how much these tires can flex under side loads, especially when the tire pressure is lower than normal.
I really do like your idea though, and I'm going to investigate this mod further because a couple of the places I like to go are soft and/or rough. I little more tire floatation and wheel pant clearance would increase my comfort level and maybe save a little wear and tear on the landing gear and airframe on rough strips. I'd rather not have to remove my panties every time I want to go into these types of strips.
__________________
Doug
RV-6, AT-301, G-164, C-188...
Last edited by MacNab : 11-11-2007 at 09:16 AM.
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11-12-2007, 12:56 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire, England
Posts: 1,050
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Doug, now I understand. That makes eminent sense. A thin washer it is. Thanks.
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11-12-2007, 10:45 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,564
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I have a friend that tried 600x6 wheels and tires on his HR2 and it shimmied like crazy. Likely because the toe-in/out was so far out that having the additional contact area of the larger tires just made it worse. I have Van's wheelpants for my F1 and regularly land on rough runways with my -6, many times which I wished I had bigger tires. Flying a J3 spoils you in that regard. So I guess I need to order some different tires!
__________________
Please don't PM me! Email only!
Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
N7925P PA-24-250 Comanche, restoring
Not a thing I own is stock.
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