Grove Gear installation for a Model IV Speedster

[P Morel]

Hi All,

I'm about to pull the trigger on converting my standard bungee gear to the Grove gear. I have a Model IV Speedster with a 80hp Rotax. I plan to run 600x6 tires and really haven't decided to go with wheel pants or not. Your thoughts on this?

A big question I have is: Will the radiator scoop that is currently installed interfere with the grove gear installation or will it have to be modified? Also, will the coolant radiator also interfere and that also be relocated forward?

Pictures show the two brackets (center & forward) and the scoop extending 3" past the forward bracket as measures from the rear of the bracket. Your thoughts on this?

[Spook712]

Hi,

I have the same Problem and questions.
Looking Forward to some answers and Pictures.

TUNA

[cap01]

do you have three or four fittings? my IV and the speedster where i keep mine also has four and both have grove gear installed

[cap01]

this is the only pic handy , can get better ones if you need any

[HighWing]

Paul,
It looks like you will need to move the radiator and shroud forward. As you likely know, the gear is one piece and will pass through the space between the two mounting tabs in each side.

My first Model IV, not a Speedster, but had some of the mods. Note the horizontal cross piece of the Grove Gear passes across aft of the shroud.

[Spook712]

OK, so the Scoop and Radiator have to move Forward!

How/where do I Mount the Scoop and the Radiator on, are there any mounting ponts or did anyone make modifications for the relocation?

If so, Pictures would be appreciated.

THX

[HighWing]

Marc,
The shroud and radiator are attached to the wood floorboard with bolts that pass through tubular spacers to support the two components just at the level of the fabric. This airplane doesn't have the shroud so all you see in the picture are the heads of the bolts that support the radiator. This was standard mounting practice per the builder's manual.

[P Morel]

Grove gear installed! Pretty easy and straight forward. Didn't have to move the radiator shroud. Only cut sides of the shroud to allow the gear to install. Thanks for the comments and help.

[Spook712]

Cool, great looking!

Can you post some more close-up pictures from the shroud area?

[DesertFox4]

Paul, that is one outstanding looking Kitfox no matter the gear under her. BTW, you will love the Grove.:)

[ken nougaret]

Beautiful. And with the pants on, it still has the classic look.

[Spook712]

Hi,

Question, I still have the bungee gear with ATV wheels but have the Grove Gear ready for Installation.

Q: Can I use my brake System (Matco) from the old gear, does it fit
to the Grove or do I have to do modifications.

Q: Could you post or PN me some more Pictures, especially from the
mounting block area and the cutout of the shroud for the Radiator.

Thanx,
Tuna

[P Morel]

Spook712

I'll PM you. I'm posting a couple of pics to show how I managed to keep from repositioning my radiator shroud by cutting into the sides allowing the Grove gear to fit.

[Bryan]

Paul, nice looking plane. You will love the Grove Gear. I did this with mine and really like it. Love your paint scheme as it looks familiar. LOL:D Looks real nice.

[Spook712]

I'm just in the process of installing the gear.

As I got s started, I found out that the attachment brackets don't really fit my attachment Points on the aircraft.

On the left side is a 5mm length difference ( I try to post Pictures ).

Did anyone else have the same experience?
How do I fix it?

Greets TUNA

[68niou1]

Spook 712

When I got my grove gear- they accidently sent two left side brackets instead of a left and a right. If your mounting brackets are exactly the same this is the case. Just a thought-

Scott

[Spook712]

Yes, they are exactly the same !!

Shouldn't they be? I thought that's ok.

I showed them the Pictures and this was the reply:

"I had a tech look at the photos you have sent and he's response is below:

We have run in to aircraft like this from time to time, you will have to
trim the front lug on the bracket and add washers as required to take up the
gap."

Should there be 2 different parts?

[68niou1]

Yes- you should have a right and left mounting bracket. One should be a mirror image of the other- not exactly the same. Call grove I bet the mixed up your mounting brackets with someone else. That's what happened to me- took them a couple of weeks to exchange the right bracket. Good luck- Scott

[Spook712]

I do have one right and one left, but they are an exact mirror of each other.

[68niou1]

Then you have something going on with your fuselage/mounting brackets then. Wouldn't be the first time I had to machine something to get it to work. Good luck-:cool:

[Av8r3400]

I had to do a lot of fitting to get the grove brackets to fit my IV-1050. At least the 5mm you are showing. There are variations in the brackets as welded.

[Spook712]

I guess that is what I'm facing now :-(

[avidflyer]

A good half hour with a file shouldn't be that big of a deal..... ;-) Jim Chuk
Or maybe a 1/2 or less of that time with a belt sander or sanding disc on a 4 1/2" side grinder.

[rv9ralph]

I had the same fit issue with my KF3. Both brackets has to be machined. Some on the front attach lug, some from the rear on the other side. I used the strut attach fitting to ensure they would be equal and had an EAA chapter member that is a machinist mill off the offending material.

I have not removed my old gear to do the install yet, but will be taking that step soon. I may still have to file some material off in final fit.

Ralph

[Spook712]

It's done :-)

11507

11508

[jmodguy]

Looks great Spook712! Now for some big fat tundra tires:D

[DesertFox4]

You will enjoy the new gear. Remember to do a fresh Weight and Balance.

[Spook712]

Looks great Spook712! Now for some big fat tundra tires:D

I guess I stay with these ones :-)

[Spook712]

You will enjoy the new gear. Remember to do a fresh Weight and Balance.

I had to do one anyway, since my 4 years where over ;-)

[Spook712]

Still need Ideas on how to mount the Wheelpants.
Pictures would be greatly appreciated😉

The old attachment points don't fit.

[efwd]

Hey, what do you do, tuck that bird in with pillows and blankets before you all go off to bed?:)

[Spook712]

Hey, what do you do, tuck that bird in with pillows and blankets before you all go off to bed?:)

Sure, you don't ? ;-)

[Spook712]

Still nobody any suggestions on how to mount the wheelpants.

The old center screw does not fit in the axsles, can I buy new ones or do I have to manufacture my own?

Regards
Tuna

[jmodguy]

Spook
I believe there is a different mount plate for the spring gear. I have both I think. I will take some pics of both and post them here later today.

[jmodguy]

The parts on top are for bungee gear. Parts on bottom for spring gear.

[Spook712]

The parts on top are for bungee gear. Parts on bottom for spring gear.

Perfect!!!

Could you by any chance get me some measurements from the groove gear parts, or do you have a template somewhere?

Thanx,
Tuna

[jmodguy]

I will trace it out on a piece of paper and post it here. Will try to get it tomorrow but may have to wait until Thurs.

[jdmcbean]

We do have them in stock.

[Spook712]

We do have them in stock.

Hi John,

how much are they?

And do you also have the mounting point for the ATV axle?

Regards,
Tuna

[DesertFox4]

Tuna, just in case John does not pop back on this site right away, email or call the factory with questions for quicker response.
I think they have another show coming up soon and may be preparing for it.

[Spook712]

I will trace it out on a piece of paper and post it here. Will try to get it tomorrow but may have to wait until Thurs.

Did you have the chance to trace out the plates and take measurements?

Cheers,
Tuna

[jmodguy]

Tuna
Totally forgot... I apologize. :o
Will stop by the hangar tomorrow and get one to measure.

[rv9ralph]

Here is the template for Grove axles. You should be able to identify the correct one based on the part number for your axle.

http://www.groveaircraft.com/axletemplate.pdf

Ralph

[Spook712]

Here is the template for Grove axles. You should be able to identify the correct one based on the part number for your axle.

http://www.groveaircraft.com/axletemplate.pdf

Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I'm looking for a template for a mounting bracket for the wheelpants on the groove gear.

Thanks,
Tuna

[jmodguy]

Tuna
Sorry for the long delay but here is a scan of the part...
It's .060 inch thick 4130 steel