29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

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hilltop170
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by hilltop170 »

blueldr wrote:I fly from pavement all of the time so I've decided to equip my C-170B main gear with plastc tired skate wheels to reduce the in flight drag. Does anyone have a line on some very small brake rotors?
Forget the small brake rotors, take the brakes off altogether, then to save even more weight and drag, take off the tailwheel and bolt a wood skid to the spring, then you won't need brakes.
Last edited by hilltop170 on Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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blueldr
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by blueldr »

I'd be about willing to bet that those 31 inchers will eat at least 15 mph off of the normal cruising speed of a C-170. I can see their usefulness if they're really required, but I wouldn't want to be flying many long legs with them.
BL
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N419A
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by N419A »

I haven't run the 29's on mine just the 26 and 31's, but I would think the only notice able difference would be the ground handling and feel at the same tire pressure. This as you mentioned is because the 26 and 29 have an extra ply and have a higher weight rating. A friend has 29's on his cub and they feel stiffer when you put your knee to them (the standard preflight check for the correct and equal pressure). Functionally I don't think there would be much difference between the 29 and 31. Main thing I noticed with the 31's is I don't touch the tail first as much when landing slow, and similarly on takeoff don't drag the tail when I rotate. You will love them if you do a lot of off airport stuff. Here's some pictures of the progression of my planes tires over the years. Is it all necessary? Probably not :lol:

Paul.
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31" ABW's
31" ABW's
26" ABW's
26" ABW's
8.50x10 Gar's
8.50x10 Gar's
8.50x6
8.50x6
53' 170B
180+HP IO360M1B (StootS conversion), 80" Hartzell, Sportsman Cuff, Super Drooper tips, V-Brace, Selkirk X baggage, AK Bushwheels all around.
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GAHorn
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by GAHorn »

The "Tandem" landing gear (Whitaker type)
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WhitakerGear3.jpg
WhitakerGear2.jpg
WhitakerGear.jpg
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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n2582d
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Whitaker Tandem Gear

Post by n2582d »

From “Cessna Sensations: A Collection of Vintage Photographs” Click to Enlarge
From “Cessna Sensations: A Collection of Vintage Photographs” Click to Enlarge
Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: Whitaker Tandem Gear

Post by GAHorn »

n2582d wrote:
23E9C891-4952-4580-AA7B-7048E27040FF.jpeg
When N146YS left the assembly line for El Salvador it had a camera kit/hole and an "agricultural kit". I do not know if they were utilized or not, but agriculural-purpose airplanes imported into El Salvador were taxed at a lower rate than others. Hmmmn... 8)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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Joe Moilanen
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Re: Whitaker Tandem Gear

Post by Joe Moilanen »

gahorn wrote:
n2582d wrote:
23E9C891-4952-4580-AA7B-7048E27040FF.jpeg
When N146YS left the assembly line for El Salvador it had a camera kit/hole and an "agricultural kit". I do not know if they were utilized or not, but agriculural-purpose airplanes imported into El Salvador were taxed at a lower rate than others. Hmmmn... 8)
The camera kit/hole is being used quite frequently....

Joe
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hilltop170
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by hilltop170 »

The main difference I have seen between 29" and 31" Bushwheels is the 31" tend to "roll under" on steep beaches where the 29" tend to stay in shape better.

My nephew had 31" on his C-180 and when he stopped parallel to the beach at my cabin, the tires would deflect more than was comfortable but they never actually caused any problems.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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n2582d
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by n2582d »

A popular quip says heaven is where the lovers are Italian, hell is where the engineers are Italians. 164 lbs. but increase in speed of 2 mph.
Whitaker on steroids<br />Click to Enlarge
Whitaker on steroids
Click to Enlarge
You Tube link
Last edited by n2582d on Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: 29" vs. 31" Alaska Bush Wheels

Post by GAHorn »

n2582d wrote:A popular quip says heaven is where the lovers are Italian, hell is where the engineers are Italians.
IMG_1860.jpeg
You Tube link
Bruce would want the cross-wind version…. :lol:
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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