31" Bush Wheels

[Staton]

I just traded my Cessna 150 for a bc12-d with an 85. I am looking to put bush wheels on. Wondering if there are any out there with the 31" Alaska Bush wheels? The weight difference is about 2 lbs from the 29" to the 31". So i just need to skip a meal. I don't care about cruise speed, only take off and climb. I will probably end up with the little 26" Goodyear because of the pocket book. I'm in the process of converting to hydraulic toe brakes. The shims are worthless. Are the 31" to big?

Staton,
Fly to hunt.

[hyflyer]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Most of the alaska guys seem to be saying the 31"s are too big. They tend to go with the 29"s or 26"s . I went with the 21 "s . fit right on my 6 inch wheels and only 99 bucks each. There is a guy named neal on alaskas list who wrecked his 160 hp BC12D , he has a set of tundra tires and wheels for sale used. Might interest you?

[N-43121]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

I am running 29" Airstreaks, made by Alaska Bushwheels and certified for the light duty airplanes like ours. They are way lighter than the standard 29" Alaska Bushwheels. They have an STC for our applications. There was essentially no difference in weight from my 8:50 x 6's.

I love 'em!

I think. They improve short field operations by allowing a greater angle of attack for rotation and lift-off as long as you don't put too big of a tail wheel on the airplane.

Rod

[akndrifter]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

If my memory serves me right, the 31s are about 30lbs a side, the 29 Airstreaks are 26lbs a side and the 26 Airstreaks are 19lbs a side.

[Staton]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

I was looking at the bushwheel weights not airstreaks. I definitely want the airstreaks. here are the weights from Bushwheels manual. The (R1) are the airstreaks. PROXIMATE TIRE WEIGHTS
Tire Part Number Approximate Finished Weight/tire. 26126.I, 26126.II 28lbs. 26126.R 28lbs. 26126.R1 19lbs. 29136.I, 29136.II 34lbs. 29136.R 30lbs. 29136.R1 27lbs. 31136.I 38lbs. 31136.R 31lbs. Weight is such a huge factor in these low powered aircraft. From the little t-craft flying that i have done i am seeing that 1 lb of weight adds about 1 foot to my takeoff role. I need to experiment more with that assumption this summer when the beach is open, to get an accurate ground role. Has anyone else figured that out yet?
Staton

[akndrifter]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

I was able to adjust my shin brakes to where I could reliably stop Miss T in under 300' every time on 26s if I was doing my part. Not sure they would be adequate for the 29s.

[ifdale]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Hey rod, I remember seeing your plane at valdez, think it was a couple of years ago? I've got a beige and blue taylorcraft down at Soldotna. So you have the 29 inch tires now, did you ever have the 26 for comparison? Like maybe the 26 goodyears? (what i had). I have an 85 hp also, do you think the ground roll would be longer with the 29's vs the 26?

[swoeric]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

this is proven time and time again go with 29 never look back...you wont get the benefits out of the 26 good years... they are heavy and hard...they will soften ground roll etc but 29 is where you want to be

[N-43121]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Hey rod, I remember seeing your plane at valdez, think it was a couple of years ago? I've got a beige and blue taylorcraft down at Soldotna. So you have the 29 inch tires now, did you ever have the 26 for comparison? Like maybe the 26 goodyears? (what i had). I have an 85 hp also, do you think the ground roll would be longer with the 29's vs the 26?

No, I went from 8:50's to the 29s. I never ran 26's. I think ground roll is shorter with the larger tires because I can get more angle of attack at rotation. No regrets going to the 29's.

Rod

[AKbrew]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

I have the 26" Airstreaks on mine and I am VERY happy with them. I think you would be happy with either the 26" or the 29" Airstreaks. I agree with the comment regarding the Goodyears. The Airstreaks are nice and 'squishy'...like landing on marshmallows.

[Staton]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

a couple weeks ago i flew a t-craft 85, on 850's, 26' Airstreaks, and used 31' Bushwheels. Same day, same load, same wind. same plane. Used the gravel runway.
850's Weight-1113 (tire weight 19 lbs each on scale.) 115 yrd takeoff and 105 Yrd takeoff. wind 10 degrees at 5. Rate of climb 550. cruise 94 mph. temp 65
31' bushwheels. 8lbs air pressure. Weight 1133 (tire weight 29lbs each on scale) 95rd takeoff & 95 yrd takeoff. wind 30 degrees at 7. climb 500. cruise 87mph temp 65.
26' airstreaks. 8lbs air pressure. Weight-1113 (tire weight 19 lbs each on scale.) 85 yrd & 85 yrd takeoff. wind 30 degrees @7 climb 550 cruise 90mph. temp 65.
The 31's roll much easier, and get a higher angle. 20lbs more. (but they were well used and less rubber then new.)
The 26's roll good, and good angle and no weight gain.
850's to small.
Took the 850's brown bear hunting in tall grass. doubled my take off. then took the 26's improved by 35%. 80yrd difference. (turned two bears down.) I would really like to compare to 29's, but I am getting essentially new airstreaks for $1000 from a good friend. so I am going with them.

[Dano"T"]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Each time you say your weight is 1133...is that your empty weight? Seems heavy. Are you adding or subtracting weight with the different tires to stay at 1133 lbs? Just curious, sounds like a fun experiment.

[3Dreaming]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Dano, take a look again at those numbers. The 8.50's and the 26's have a weight of 1113 and the 31's are 1133, 20 pounds heavier. I would guess he is giving take off weight for the experiment.

[Dano"T"]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Silly me. Thanks for pointing it out. I thought he had posted the empty weight at 1133. Whew.

[Staton]

Re: 31" Bush Wheels

Take off weight.