landing gear jacking point

[Leenicklas]

I have a BC12-D with no wings. I want to put dollies under each wheel so I can move it around in the hanger. Any suggestions for jacking point so I can lift rotten-tired wheels off ground so I can slip the dollies in?

[cvavon]

Re: landing gear jacking point

if you have a set of air craft jacks put a timber across the belly at the gear and jack it from the sides

[M Towsley]

Re: landing gear jacking point

If you get the car dollies, that are used to move a car around a garage, they open up nicely around the tire then when you jack them they close up around the tire and lift the plane. A buddy of mine uses them on his L-2.

Like these: http://www.harborfreight.com/1250-lb...lly-67287.html

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: landing gear jacking point

Easiest way is to put some plywood between the cross pieces of a pair of Harbor Freight movers dollies (currently on sale for $7.99 each). Push on the fuselage side at the main spar attach and rock the fuselage up enough to put the first dolly under one wheel. Do the same for the other side (trust me, the plane gets a LOT heavier for the second side). Remember the plane will slide sideways on the first dolly as soon as the load starts to come off the second wheel! BLOCK THE PLANE SO IT DOESN'T SLIDE SIDEWAYS.
I did mine that way and when the wings are off it works pretty good. Once the wings were on I lifted the gear up with a long bar under the gear just inboard of the brake dust shield (it is SOFT aluminum so don't lift the shield! Put the bar under the welded joint!) I stacked some 2x4s in a square stack as a fulcrum but a concrete block works fine too. Step on the bar and slide the dolly in or out. NEVER LIFT THE PLANE BY THE STRUTS!!!! They will fold in a heartbeat. You can lift at the wing attach for the strut, but NEVER lift away from the attach fitting.
Hank

Be careful using the lever method. If you slip the lever is going to fly up fast!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: landing gear jacking point

I should also say once you have at least "roll around" tires on that will hold air, it is a LOT easier to make a ramp from some plywood and scraps of wood to ROLL it on the dollies.
Hank

[3Dreaming]

Re: landing gear jacking point

If you have an engine hoist you can lift each side with that from the lower tie strut attach. If you don't have an engine hoist you could use a saw horse and a couple ratchet straps.

[Pearson]

Re: landing gear jacking point

I usually just find something solid about 8" high and use it as a fulcrum with a four or five foot long 2X4. You can lift behind the wheel or even on the outside under the part of the wheel that sticks out just a little bit where the bearing goes in. Once you get it up, just slide your dolly in.

[Leenicklas]

Re: landing gear jacking point

Got it on the dollie. thanks everyone for the tips. Lee Nicklas

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: landing gear jacking point

OK, don't keep us in suspenders! Which method worked best for you? Which ones scared you so bad you didn't try them? Every time I use the lever method I have a mental picture of the lever slipping up and my teeth spreading across the hangar floor, and that is usually the one I use most!
Hank

[Bird]

Re: landing gear jacking point

I know this is after the fact but IMO I would have told a coupla budies to stop over for some brews and then complained that I just sprained my back trying to get it on dollies and let the bread fall where it falls lol.

[Leenicklas]

Re: landing gear jacking point

Used an auto scissor jack. May use the 2x4 pry metod to get it a little better centered on dollie. Thanks again all. Lee Nicklas

[astjp2]

Re: landing gear jacking point

I just use an engine hoist and jack from the engine/mount. Tim

[maximumvmo]

Re: landing gear jacking point

I used an engine hoist like the above post (put my new bungee covers on that way).

[N74DV]

Re: landing gear jacking point

have two helpers lift up on the wing at the strut attach points. One helper on each strut. You can lift the wheel off the ground enough to slip a dolly under it.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: landing gear jacking point

I have done it that way too. The second wing lift is SIGNIFICANTLY heavier.
Hank

You need good friends with good backs and knees.