weight and balance tail wheel lifting

[Rootbeer]

OK, Gang..........nearing completion SS7 and need advice on how to lift tail to level for weight and balance. The strength of my youth seems to have faded. I have thought of using the wing tie back tube to through bolt for a lift ring using an engine lift. also Harbor Freight has a hydraulic lift table which might work.....................so the question is how do I lift the tail for level ? And what kind of stand could be used or made to hold the tail wheel on scale when level ? (pictures)

[t j]

My tail only weighs 60 pounds sitting on the floor and 37 pounds when level for weighing. I can lift it by the handle and place the saw horse under the fuselage in front of the tail wheel spring then lift it the rest of the way by the tail wheel spring and slide the scale with the stand under the wheel with one foot.

I think the easiest answer is get a helper to lift it.

[PapuaPilot]

I put a saw horse next to my tail and lifted it at the TW spring and swung it onto the sawhorse. It would be best to get a friend if you help you.

[ken nougaret]

If you have rafters above you could use a ratchet strap with protective foam/blanket under fuse in front of horizontal and a come-a-long or hoist from above. Dont forget to chock the main wheels.

[jiott]

I used a high-lift jack under the handle on the left rear of the plane. Be careful though because this lift point is somewhat off center and you will need some way (ropes, etc.) to keep the tail from trying to swing to the side.

[t j]

Just curious, how much does a tail on a modern kitfox weigh?

[jiott]

My SS7 tail weighs about 100 lbs; but I have the heavy duty ABW tailwheel, and the speedster tail with all the extra airfoil ribs and fairings. I was surprised at how heavy the tail is. I don't lift mine up by hand either.

[t j]

Okay that explains the lifting problem. I suspect the position of the main wheels being further forward than a stock model 4 gear puts a significant higher percentage of the total weight on the tail too.

[av8rps]

Things have changed a bunch over the years. My A-Model Avid Flyer taildragger has an 11 lb tail weight. The empty weight of entire plane 396 lbs.

Bit in defense of our more modern models, the main gear has been raked forward quite a bit since the early Avid / Kitfox days resulting in even a light version can have a 60 lb tail weight. So the reality is that when talking about tail weights, one has to know specific landing gear model and/or axle center based on a common datum line.

[ken nougaret]

I have the standard tail wheel setup that came with my SS7. Level it weighs 59lbs.

[GuppyWN]

Rootbeer,

I'm in Boise. Give me a shout. I'll run up and lift it for you.

[Benbell4140]

I have the standard tail wheel setup that came with my SS7. Level it weighs 59lbs.

Hey Ken. Is this weight still accurate? I have mine level and on scales right now. Total empty is 859 and the tail is 59. I haven’t started doing the actual weight and balance yet but I was curious.


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[ken nougaret]

Yeah Ben, that sounds good. The difference being that your total weight is about 30lbs less than mine.