Jack points on the gear legs?

[Zzz]

How do you guys jack your Bearhawk legs when you need to patch a tube or otherwise remove the wheel/tire? Did you make a little cup or jack point that wraps around the inside of the axle where the strut attaches? On my Cessna 170 I used a purpose-built jackpad and bottle jack. The other day I just wanted to jack it up to briefly pull the wheel off but had to scratch my head a little instead.

Another issue is complete removal of the gear legs (going to reform my trailing edge fairings.) Before I had the firewall in place I had two long 2x4s that I bolted through to the engine mount holes.

I guess a hoist and lifting rings would be the ticket.

[Enewton57]

I use a floor jack with no front wheels making it a narrow profile. I can get it under the shock strut leg attach point of the axle.

For removing the gear legs I use a heavy strap threaded through the engine mount near the firewall and lift with an engine hoist.


Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS
Bearhawk Tailwheels LLC
Bearhawk Manuals

http://mybearhawk.com

[Battson]

Sometimes I use an engine crane and life off the engine mount with a strop. You can lift one side of the plane at a time:



Otherwise, I just use a little car jack and a block of wood to cushion it - doesn't even mark the paint - note the stacked wood is only there for backup in case the jack fails.

[N942VT]

I welded up a spreader out of square tube with pads on each end to go under each leg fitting. Use two jacks to lift the whole plane. Before that I used an engine hoist with a strap. If I were scratch building I'd weld on a jack point.

[James]

I'm asking the same question - N942VT, where would you weld on the jack point? Between the struts on the fuselage, or on the bottom of the axle stubs?

James