Shopping for a new tailwheel spring

[rocketman2tm]

PXL_20210703_134154399.jpg

So I sheared a tailwheel bolt over the weekend. Didn't even notice it until the next preflight. I have since replaced the bolt and have flown the airplane without any issues.

I know that the one piece aluminum spring gear was designed with this failure point in mind and I flew with one in the Stick and Rudder plane and thought it felt pretty nice. Is there any reason to skip this solution and go straight to the T3? I have to believe the aluminum saves a couple pounds at a very long arm. Back of the envelope math tells me I'll give up about 5 pounds of baggage capacity with the T3 vs the leaf springs I have now. I assume the aluminum is close in weight to my current setup if not slightly lighter.

Thoughts?

[jiott]

The Grove aluminum spring and the T3 are two very different animals. The T3 purpose is a cushioned, non-rebounding tailwheel for unimproved surfaces. I am not convinced it is as tough or much tougher than the Grove. The Grove aluminum was developed as a much stronger upgrade to the leaf springs, but no attempt was made for cushioning or rebound; in fact the Grove is a little stiffer and harsh compared to the leaf spring. In my opinion, if you need the cushioning/non-rebound then the T3 is the way to go. If you are just looking for more strength and toughness and cost is important, then the Grove is great (I have had one for about 4 years with no issues).

[Delta Whisky]

Not to hi-jack this thread (but, I guess that I am) - is the Grove tail wheel spring lighter? How much?

[alexM]

Not to hi-jack this thread (but, I guess that I am) - is the Grove tail wheel spring lighter? How much?

I have the Grove aluminum tail wheel, which is currently on my plane but coming off soon so I can start covering. I'll weigh it when it's off. Like the Grove aluminum main gear there's nothing particularly light about it, it's just simple and tough.

I know the T3 is "all that" for heavy duty use but the places I land are routinely served by planes with all varieties of tail wheels and none break off. If it's really rough the tail wheel should spend minimal time on the ground anyway. Maybe I'll upgrade later, who knows.

[jiott]

My AN3 tailwheel clamp tab bolt sheared from side load. Replaced it with AN4.

[jrthomas]

I've been thinking about the Grove tailwheel spring for my model 4. It originally came with a 2 leaf but I replaced it with a 3 leaf during construction. After about 5 and a half years it seems to have sagged a little. Some years ago I had a tailspring break on a friends model 2 so I'm naturally a little gun shy. I tend to be a little on the tail heavy side so lighter is better. I use both paved and grass strips, nothing rough so the T3 is not needed. I know that the Grove that Kitfox sells is for models 5 through 7. Mangy Fox adapted one to his model 4 and seems to like it. I guess what I'm looking for is advise. Is this a good upgrade? Also what's involved in adapting the Grove? I have the Grove main gear with 22" Dessers.

[jrevens]

When I compared the weight of my original 3-leaf steel spring assy. vs the T3, the T3 was approximately 1.5 lb. heavier... that's all. I do like the T3 very much. I increased the size of those 2 bolts to AN4 (1/4") vs the original AN3 also. The T3 allows a tail wheel first landing technique without the rebound which can make very short landings a little shorter for me. Another advantage is less stress on the fuselage back there. Just some points to consider.

[GuppyWN]

When I compared the weight of my original 3-leaf steel spring assy. vs the T3, the T3 was approximately 1.5 lb. heavier... that's all. I do like the T3 very much. I increased the size of those 2 bolts to AN4 (1/4") vs the original AN3 also. The T3 allows a tail wheel first landing technique without the rebound which can make very short landings a little shorter for me. Another advantage is less stress on the fuselage back there. Just some points to consider.

Agree to all and I immediately noticed less jarring on the tail on rougher strips. Definitely like that aspect.

[Benbell4140]

Does anyone know anything about this aluminum spring? It doesn’t appear to be a grove spring. I have one just like it and was curious to hear any good or bad reports. It came with a second hand tailwheel that I purchased.




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[n85ae]

I had that Spring, it is a Grove. Grove told me to throw it in the trash, as a number of them have broken. I had
a custom built 3 leaf made by a spring shop, basically same dimensions as the Grove, but 5 degree steeper bend
the Grove was a very harsh spring.

I replaced my mount bolts with 1/4 NAS bolts

Jeff

Does anyone know anything about this aluminum spring? It doesn’t appear to be a grove spring. I have one just like it and was curious to hear any good or bad reports. It came with a second hand tailwheel that I purchased.




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