My update 1/24/15:
I just wanted to follow-up on my other comments. I actually got to use the jack lever in the pics last weekend in my hangar when I had time to see how it was working and take a good look at the way it fit the gear leg. On my first tire change, I lowered the plane onto the half pipe and it seemed to be a sturdy support. The lever was tipped about 10 degrees outboard while the plane was resting on it. I assumed this was due to the curve in the gear leg as it turns up toward the engine mount. I did my tire change and then slowly and carefully lowered the plane to the ground using the bar, with no slipping.
I changed the other tire and tube that day as well, this time using only the lever jack. I pushed it up under the gear leg next to the junction with the axle, tried to steady it in place with my foot, and slowly pushed down on the lever. The plane rolled onto the half pipe and stayed there. This time the flat tabs on the lever were flat on the ground. I did all my worked and then safely lowered it back down.
I added some pics here. I have to say that this was a very very simple way to lift the wheel off the ground. It seems to work well enough and the plane appeared to be stable once the wheel was lifted. My only concerns were that the half pipe would not be enough to scoop the gear leg up once you got some of the plane's weight on it. My other concern was that there was very little (if any) horizontal gear leg to rest on the half pipe. The gear leg leaves the junction with axle and makes a very quick transition up the leg to the fuselage. You can see it in the pictures. But at the end of the day, I didn't feel or hear the gear leg trying to slide off the end of the half pipe. It seemed to make a solid, secure lift point.
In the hangar, this should prove to be a great way to take the wheels off for service. As far as carrying it, it weighs a fair amount. Probably in the ballpark of a hydraulic ram. But it is much less compact. I have a couple ideas for anyone that is considering making a similar device (or you could buy one from the guy that came up with the idea!). I think a hinged handle with a bolt to lock it in place might make it easier to tuck in the back of your plane. Or, a sleeved handle would accomplish the same thing.
All along, I had intended to test the lifting process at different points along the handle to see if it could be shortened at all. But it was my first tire and tube change and my first time lifting the plane, so I quickly shifted my focus to a safe successful job and called it a day. I imagine some of the handle end could be cut off for a travel version without forcing you to have to stand on the handle to lift the plane.
Just some thoughts!!
Andy
SUCCESS!
I bought one of these and had high hopes. I had a flat this weekend and was able to get the pants off but I was disappointed to see that there is very little lower gear leg to capture with the jack platform. While I was trying to avoid the brake lines and trying to keep the jack under the gear leg, it slipped off and took a chunk out of my lower gear leg fairing. I put it away after that. I'm going to take a longer look at the problem in the hangar this weekend before I give up on it.
The jack is welded at an outside angle slightly greater than 270 degrees so once in the upright position it should hold its position well. Whether it will slip up or off the axle is yet to be seen. But even in the pictures it is only using a portion of the cradle.
What the RV really needs, in my non-builder mind, is a jacking tab welded near the elbow on the leg.
I eventually bought the smallest scissor jack I could find at HF last weekend to try to jack the wheel up by the bolt that holds the wheel pant on the end of the axle nut. Even with the smallest jack I could find, and a completely flat tire, I had to have a line guy kick the jack under the bolt while I tried to lift the plane enough by the bottom of the wing. What a nightmare.