Jack for Tcraft

[DannyDot]

I am looking for idea on how to jack up a Tcart to work on the wheels and brakes. I have used a large T made out out of 2x4s with a cover of carpet under a wing. With this you can lift one wheel at a time. Any other ideas out there?

Danny Deger

[crispy critter]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

Engine hoist or come-a-long from a hanger truss. Pull the top cowling and use a heavy strap around both sides of the engine mount to life both sides at once or one side of the engine mount to life that side only(i.e. right side of mount for right tire,left side of mount for left tire). I have heard several people who lift them with hoist by hooking the engine lifting eye but I don't like this method because it is too unstable plus that is a lot of weight to hang on that small lifting eye that is held in place by 2 very small bolts close to the edge of a very thin,light weight aluminum engine case.

[N95179]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

I've been borrowing Dick's wing jack. Works great! Just don't forget to chock the other wheel and keep the tailwheel from moving. Also make some wraps around the cradle and the wing strut with some rope or bungee cords.

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

I used an old car jack (lots of them are available for free) and bolted a L piece on the top that had a rounded curve cut out. I lined the curve with some felt and it slides under the axle just inboard of the brake cover. If the jack is too high to slide under the axle you may have to roll the wheel up on a couple of 2" boards. We also welded some bracing to the jack to keep it from tipping. It is steady, works great and I don't worry about a 2X4 going through the wing.

If you want to see a pix of it send me a private post at: [email protected]

Carl

[DannyDot]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

I found that if I take the wheels off of my small floor jack I can get it close enough to the tire to jack up the wheel. I am only going to do one wheel at a time this way to decrease the likelyhood of tiping over. I also found a stand at an automotive store made for the front wheel of a trailer I can put the tail wheel in. This will keep the tailwheel from moving around. I think I am business here.

Danny Deger

[Guest]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

One of those one ton bottle jacks (about $8) will fit under the fitting with the bolt thru it for the cabane strut. I may be wrong it may be 1/2 ton. It's the cheapest smallest bottle jack that they sell. Put a small square of rubber material on top of it so you don's scratch your paint. Been using one for years, works well. Dave

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

Danny,
Rather than 'lift' a wing, I just lift the axel. A friend made a neat little NASCAR type jack for me. I just roll it up to the axel (on its skateboard wheel) and push the handle to the floor. It raises the wheel about a half inch off the ground.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

That is very cool! Could you possibly take a closer picture of the attach end and how it connects to the plane?

Maybe some dimensions? That looks like a fun welding project!!

[crispy critter]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

I have seen some handy gadgets for these birds but I must say I think this might be the best one yet!!!! I agree with Richard Boyer,neat welding project.I would be happy to pay for a set of plans for something like that. Can ya send use some closer details?

[hangarb7]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

Cleaning out my Dad's old garage, I found a heavy sissor jack. Since the flat top area is too large to fit under the gear knuckle, I welded up a little narrow stantion that is bolted on the top of the jack.

I place a little piece of inner tube rubber on top and the airplane jacks up one wheel at a time. To keep the tail wheel from moving, I raise the tail onto a plastic 5 gallon paint pail. Works OK for me and makes the tail area under the horizontal stab a little easier to inspect.

Jack Dernorsek
N44057

[Darren Lucke]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

That is a simple - nice way to do so... everyone get together - I can CNC cut some parts for bracing, etc... instead of trying to fit up tubes, etc - why didn't I think of that???? =P

Much nicer than the jacks I had built previously -

Darren Lucke

https://www.TUFIndustries.com

[VictorBravo]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

Bob Waldron that is brilliant! Totally simple, cheap and nearly idiot proof. You make another one I'll buy it!

The only improvement that I can imagine would be a small telescopic tube that comes out of the long tube, toward the aft end of the aircraft once the handle is lowered completely. When this telescopic tube is extended, the plane cannot come down and the handle cannot accidentally be raised. It is a safety tube that prevents the jack from "over-centering" back down.

Bob, you should make those up for all small lightplanes, T-crafts, Cubs, Champs, everything could use the same basic design. My guess is that you could sell a couple of hundred of them without even trying. The fact that they would work for Cessna 150's and Ercoupes and experimentals is also worth noting. I think you have a very viable product there if you can sell them for $99.00 or less. A very viable product!

[TCTOM]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

I use something kind of like Bob Waldons except I use a long 2x4 placed under the same position as noted in Bob's with a 4x4 under the 2x4 and just leverage by having someone stand on the end of the 2x4, raises the wheel off the floor , I remove the wheel and place a wooden block under the axle and have the other person release the pressure on the 2x4 they are standing on. No danger of falling off a jack and very quik! Tom

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Jack for Tcraft

Here are two more close-up photos. The fella that made it for me, also made one for his Cub. On the Cub, the top of the lifter is a horizontal half of a tube that fits under the Cub Axel. On his Cub(s), he can use the lifter to remove wheels and add skis. I can't do that on the Taylorcraft, cause my skis are too wide.

I did not measure any dimenisons, but I suspect that the length from the bottom of the skateboard wheel to the 'notch' at the top of the lifter, is about an inch longer that the distance from the bottom of the axel to the floor. Once the lifter has been rolled 'over center', the wheel is about 3/4 inch off the floor.

I understand Bill's comment about the telescoping 'safety' tube. I assure you that nobody can 'accidently' lift the handle, but I am careful when the airplane is lifted. I worry more about a side load being able to tip over the skateboard wheels.

It is a great welding project. Before you decide to make hundreds of them to sell at $99.00 each, you might want to talk to a lawyer, or at least put all of your liquid assets into your wife's name. Even if you could get some people to purchase one, as soon as others see it, they will say "Gee, that looks like a great welding project" and they will make some for their friends.

I once saw a very clever attachment to an antique gas engine. I told the owner "Wow, that is really ingenious". He said "I didn't think it up, I just did what you are going to do, I saw it somewhere and went home and made one just like it". He was right. We all learn from seeing what others have done. I hope you make yours a little better, and tell others about it.

Bob Waldron

[jack]

New axle for F-19

I"m rebuilding my 75' F-19 and in having a nearby shop magnaflux my axle's found one is cracked and needs a new one welded on. Anyone know who might have one and a jig and can do the work? Thanks Jack