Want to Expand my landing capability

[Doc68]

Greetings from Australia

I have a few questions about an upgrade for my kit fox model 4 that is located in Mt Beauty Victoria Australia.

I would like to put larger tires on the aircraft to keep up with my mate Ross, as well as a pneumatic tire for the tail wheel to do some off field landings. I don’t want to change the useful load of the aircraft a great deal in the process.

Before we start, I confess that I did not do the build. The original builder did an upgrade with the Grove Aluminium Spring Gear. He indicated that the wheels and axle are from the original kit provided. I assume they are the standard axles (0.75 inches that support the 8 inch ATV Rims).


Questions:

I understand if If I purchase the Grove Wheel and Brake kit, I will need to purchase the 1, 1/4 inch axles as well. Does anyone know if the price of $999 cover both wheels or just one side?

What type of tires would you suggest for the wheel if I upgrade? Ideally I would like the largest without breaking the budget or increasing weight too much. What would you think about the 21/800-6 Aero Classic as an option. Would it fit the rim?

For the Matco tailwheel, can I purchase the 6 inch rim and tire (pneumatic) inch and instal directly onto the same fork, or will i need to purchase a new fork assembly for the tail wheel?

If anyone has some better suggestions please let me know

BTW I love this thing.

Thanks in anticipation

[Norm]

Save yourself a bunch of time and money and stay with the 8 inch wheel. Dresser has a 27inch tire for about $500 US. TailWheel looks good Just switch out the wheel. Look to a go cart supplier and find a good quality wheel inexpensively or select a more expensive option from a aircraft supplier.
Link for the Dresser

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-and-Tubes/27.5-10-8-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-SMOOTH-TUNDRA-TIRE-AERO-CLASS-AA4AK.asp

[Av8r3400]

I have the Matco tubeless wheels and double puck brakes. They are very good quality and I have had no problems with them. Far superior performance than the Matco brakes before. I run the 21-800-6 Aeroclassics tubeless at about 15 psi. I've never had a problem.

IMO, don't waste your time with the 6" pneumatic tire. It is a wheelchair tire which isn't very tough and doesn't last long. Go with the 8", and if you can go to the wide 8" wheel with the two arm frame. You will be much happier.

[avidflyer]

If you really want to keep it low budget, you could go with these. JImChuk
https://www.amazon.com/Nanco-Slick-Bias-Tire-21x12-00R8/dp/B007U1S49Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1498652653&sr=1-1&keywords=nanco+tire

[jiott]

I would go with the Desser 22/8.50x6 smooth tundra tire. About the same price as the 21/8.00x6 but a little bigger and softer; fits the same wheel.

[av8rps]

If you have 8 inch main gear wheels, I would go with the 27 inch Desser tires. It is a much larger Bush type tire that will take you more places. And its very reasonably priced compared to other bushwheels. And it will do better on pavement than the other more expensive AK Bush Tires. The only reason you aren't seeing them more is because most don't have 8 inch wheels. But if you do, that would be a great option. Not to mention you would have a mega cool looking Kitfox :cool:

I like the Matco double arm tailwheel with the larger tire. But I also like the Jim Pekola locking tailwheel. It has no chains but the Just ajrcraft guys love them. It's rare to see someone go back to a standard chained tailwheel after they try the unchained tailwheel. The only real negative is when flying skis, sometimes the tailwheel won't pivot because of being on ice. I'm guessing that's not an issue where you are.

[David47]

Doc68, I suspect Norm is right ... ie you could just changeout the tailwheel size. Your Matco gear looks to be the same as I have on my current SS7 build and mine has an 8" pneumatic. I can send you details of the axle, rim, tyre and tube if that helps.

[kmach]

On the tail wheel, the Matco you have in the picture is a single arm.

Check out the Matco website, the 8" pneumatic would be the smallest I would go with. There are bigger wider ones, if you decide on the 27" larger mains and really want to go off field on rough or soft ground.

I went from a scott 6" solid tire tail wheel setup, not too much different than yours, to a Matco WHLT-8LD (200x500 tire) and to a now, my current tail wheel, Matco WHLT-8D with a 2.80/2.50 - 4 tire, it has a common rim size, tire and tube that you can get almost anywhere.

As far as changing the tail spring it should not be required the tail wheels should be a straight swap, you will need to lengthen your chains .

I tried to just upgrade the rim/tire size on the Matco WHLT-8LD (200x500 tire) , to the 2.80/2.50-4 rim and tire, but the arms were too short to allow a full 360 caster. So, a larger rim and tire on your current Matco arm may not work , depends on how much experimentation you are up for.

[HighWing]

I have never heard anyone mention the Home Builders Special tailwheel from Aircraft Spruce. Though I have over 1000 hours in taildraggers, this tailwheel has been trouble free from day one. I had one on the N96kl - 900 hours and no issues whatsoever. Solid lock when centered and easy unlock for tight one wheel turns or moving in the hangar.

Would I recommend this to a friend - Absolutely!

[Slyfox]

I got the homebuilders special. yes it is a good tail wheel. I will say, It's hard to get grease in the zerk. but what I've had trouble with is if I get too much grass and dirt in the tailwheel it can NOT lock in place. you don't know it until you land and it's like woha! lets go right no lets go left. you better be good on the rudder skills. I generally take and remove the big nut and clean out all the dirt and put it back together with fresh grease every, 10hrs or so. other then that.

now this morning I made the perfect landing, but on the hard runway I did notice it being real responsive. just a little touch of the rudder and it will turn big time. even just breathing on the rudder can do it. I don't think it's the tail wheel it's the chains maybe. I'm really in like of that wheel that the Just guys are using. I think when I'm at OSH I'm going to be looking at that closer. I also have the bug to do more off runway fun. :D

[Doc68]

thanks everyone for these responses. Will take a look and work out where to go next and keep you guys in the loop

[PNWJARED]

Hey guys do you think the 27.5 Desser tire would be appropriate for a KF7... Not LSA but likely within the safety standards.

Thoughts.

[av8rps]

I would think the 27 in Desser bush tire would be perfect for a Model 7. I have a set of Goodyear 26 inch blimp tires (yeah, they were made for Goodyears Blimp...) and I set them against my Model 4 project and they looked phenomenal! Not too big, and not too small. So knowing a 7 is just slightly larger than my 4, I think the 27 would be perfect. But I'd recommend a larger tailwheel if going to the bigger main gear tires. That would not only help with your off airport adventures, but also would keep your sight line more reasonable over the nose.

I personally like the no chain style tailwheels as if set properly you will not have any shimmy issues that is pretty common with a chained tailwheel. It will take a short time to adjust to steering, but once you do I doubt you will want a regular tailwheel again.

The Pekola locking tailwheel is a work of art. It not only works good, but it also looks kick ass.

My other favorite is the Outback 11" tailwheel, but I'm not sure if they are still available?