Lang tailwheel

[freightpilot27]

How is the Lang tailwheel? One came with my poject, but I was wondering if its worth the cash to get a scott 2000 or 3200.

Thanks,

[3Dreaming]

Re: Lang tailwheel

Unless you need a pneumatic tail wheel you have one of the best that there is IMO. If you decide to sell it I would be interested in buying it just to have for a spare. Tom

[dewhitaker]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I really like mine, well built, easy to maintain. Parts readily available.

[GLB]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I have a couple of Langs they are excellent tailwheels as posted parts are readily available its well built and designed and best of all it works and works just keeps on going.

[John Sowles]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I'd suggest try it and then decide. But make sure you give it a fair shake. When I bought my T-craft, the Lang was cranked down so hard it did not swivel and I hated it. For budget reasons, I replaced the worn out parts (readily available) and it is like a new plane to taxi. I really like its ground handling.

[SteveR]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I have a Lang tailwheel and have no complaints, other than the tailwheel not breaking easily. It is on a 600lb Pietenpol, so that may be part of the problem. I haven't been able to find a manual, can anyone tell me what I need to do to make it break easier?

It is particularly hard to break turning the plane left when moving the plane by hand. I actually can't break it over. If I grab the actual tailwheel with both hands, I can break it over fairly easy. But when moving the plane by hand, it is near impossible, especially on a smooth concrete floor.

Here is a listing of parts, what might be worn that would make it hard to break?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/lang_tailwheel.php

[Marv]

Re: Lang tailwheel

Have you tried a grease gun on number 23? Marv

[SteveR]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I have tried the grease gun, it helped a tiny bit, but it is still very hard to get it to break over.

Part of it may be a lack of weight on the tailwheel, there is probably only 40 to 50 lbs or so on the tail with no one in the plane, so the tire skids instead of unlocking on smooth surfaces. But even on asphalt, it won't break to the left, and the tire doesn't skid.

[freightpilot27]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I know a friend on mine has a similar problem with hers not wanting to unlock, that is what prompted me to start this thread. The Lang on my project doesn’t lock at all. But I don't think it has had any maintenance since the '50's (The airplane has not flown since that time).
From the responses I have gotten and the apparent availability of parts, I believe I will overhaul it and keep it for now.

We had a Maule tailwheel on the Luscumbe that absolutely SUCKED! It would shimmy worse than a rental Cessna nosewheel. We overhauled it, bought a new one, etc, etc. Never got better.

Thanks for all the input!

[3Dreaming]

Re: Lang tailwheel

Steve, take it apart clean and inspect it. It is a very simple system for the unlock. You may need to check your geometry between the rudder and the tail wheel. Tom

[NY86]

Re: Lang tailwheel

Right! if the steering arms don't go all the way to the extremes it won't unlock, so make sure the tailwheel hits its stop before the rudder does. Otherwise, part 25 or 6 may be worn. When the tailwheel steers to the extreme cam 25 lifts pin 6 to release the fork from the steering arm. Complex as a rock.

[SteveR]

Re: Lang tailwheel

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Lang tailwheel

NY hit it rioght on the head. I would rather have it hard to unlock than the other way. A swift kick usually will do it on concrete.

[SteveR]

Re: Lang tailwheel

OK, I pulled it apart, smoothed the pin and cam, and cleaned then re-greased everything. It works smoothly now, at least on my workbench. If it doesn't unlock now, the angle is the problem?

I also noticed that the wheel bearing is packed for 100hrs of service. It has several times that many hours on it, if it has ever been serviced. I'm having trouble splitting the hub though (hub 12 & 12 in the diagram), it is really stuck together. Any tips on splitting the hub after the three screws/nuts (#14 in the diagram) are removed?

[SteveR]

Re: Lang tailwheel

I put the tailwheel back on the plane last night, and it works GREAT. It unlocks easily in both directions, but only when the wheel turns at a substantial angle relative to the fuselage, probably near 70 degrees.

There was a small indention on the tip of part #7, the pin that rides on the cam. I believe that indention was hanging on the cam so it wouldn't move past a certain angle when turning right, which wouldn't let the wheel unlock. I filed the corner of the pin until the indention was gone. I put the pin in a drill to file the corners down, that way it has the same radius on all sides, then I smoothed it with 600 grit sandpaper. Cleaned everything, re-greased it, put a new spring in and it works great. Hasn't worked like this in the more than three years that I've had the plane. Thanks for the tips.