gyrodeere update

[gyroblackwell]

I guess it's about time for some updated pics of the gyrodeere tractor gyro. :)

[gyroblackwell]

I am using a 56 inch GSC prop on the Hirth F23 motor.

[gyroblackwell]

The tires are from Northern tool supply. YES they are wheel-barrel tires.
Notice that the rims are lined with fins. this makes them VERY strong in resisting side loads. I installed precision bearings on both. They are "flat-free" tires. never need to air them up! The weight equals that of an auza-lite rim with 4ply tire (4"rim-6"tire)

[gyroblackwell]

oops! - forgot the pic

[gyroblackwell]

I built Titanium axles. Boy are they strong AND light. The trick is to not machine any steps into the shaft. (that includes threads.) I will be drilling a hole at the outer end and placing an AN3 bolt and lock-nut on it. I also designed a locking collet that will snug the tire up to the base of the shaft. I am using "GO-PED" caliper brakes. ( 30$ each on the website ) cable driven aluminum brakes.

[gyroblackwell]

The tail is .02 aluminum skin over foam board (2" thick) with 3 aluminum tubes internally for strength. since this tail will be seeing 1/3 of the total loads put on the gyro, I beefed things up a bit. SS cables will keep the tail tracking true to the frame.

[gyroblackwell]

The swing-arm landing gear system was a real show peice at the convention. Everyone seem to like the design. last shot for now ..... me sitting in my creation making engine noises !! :)

[gyroblackwell]

oops. Almost forgot an important feature of my design. How to make the mast fold so that I can put my blades on WITHOUT a ladder, and how to make my trailer look normal when going down the road. TADA! :)

[Screw]

Screw-In

Do you have a concept shot or picture of the finished product? It looks great, and I think I met you at ROC last year. "BlackBird?" Is that your nick name? If so, I did meet you, if not, I messed it up. I think Ron introduced me to you.

Screw-Out

[GyroRon]

Blackbird is Wayne out of Georgia. he is not into gyros.

[Jim]

Looks really great!

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jim

[chuter]

Tim, how does the suspension work? Torsion bar?
On folding the mast down; I can see how you disconnected the top 2 round rods, but I can't tell if the bottom 2 are disconnected for folding?

[gyroblackwell]

The 2 front tubes disconnect to drop the mast. The 2 main tubes are actual a 1" tube .068 wall inside a 1.125 tube with .058 wall. they telescope to collapse. There is a solid plug at in the middle that allows me to bolt the two together in the extended mode. I also have 2 1/2" bolts that hold the mast tube at the pivot point. All-in-all it's a solid structure.

[gyroblackwell]

Just plane bob asked some questions that I will answer here for all to read.
I am using dominator DW 23 foot blades.
the motor is an F-23 from Hirth, 45hp, duel plugs per cyl. duel carbs, electric start with hirth belt reduction at 2:1 . a nice motor at 78lbs complete. In the tractor mode this engine/prop combo should provide a thrilling ride!
The suspension is a square within a square with polyurathane filling in the corners.
the torsion or swing arm action has to squeeze the urathane to rotate. So far the gea design looks promising. I demonstrated the gear by standing on the aluminum tube at the wheel mount location. the aluminum plate that the axle mounts to moves 90 degrees with my 215 lbs of weight. that would be close to 500 lbs capacity for the two wheels. This still leaves me with 6" of clearance between the ground and the axle tube.

I will try to post a pic of the CADD rendered model as soon as I figure out how to resize a CADD jpeg file.

The 2" fiberglass tubing was purchased from maxgain systems at http://www.mgs4u.com/fiberg.htm

[gyroblackwell]

Here is a pic from the CADD rendered model. The tail is shown as see-thru so that you can see the aluminum tubes.

[Kevin_Richey]

I love it! Thanks Tim for taking the time to write and post more photos about your new design!

The suspension, being able to put the rotorblades on without using a ladder, the composite tubing, short frame pieces (what was it-no more than 4'?) that are easy to ship (like a kit design) are things that many are going to be very interested in!! As you mentioned on your website, are you still planning on possibly producing a kit for this design?? Any closer on making that decision?

I've followed your webpage and been intrigued with what you've done. I have "Home Depot Aircraft Supply" (as Ken J. in SD/CA/USA likes to say) wheelbarrow tires for my project and had been considering replacing the air-filled tube with the flat-free tires, but I like your "Northern Tool Aircraft Supply" wheel better with their fins for added strength in side loads.

Your and Michael Guard's design should be written up in Rotorcraft magazine, just as Ron Herron's Little Wing has, to show others more of what is being done on the tractor side of gyros.

If what is being said is true about the majority of PRA members not being involved on the internet or this rotary forum, then there would be a lot of interested folks wanting to see what you have done.

An idea for those wanting to maintain legal ultralight weight status (such as the Gyrobee/Starbees) might be to use the composite tubing like you have to lower the overall frame weight enough to be able to add a Wunderlich prerotator, or a 503 engine, or brakes, and still be under 254 lbs.!

[gyroblackwell]

I would like to see the composite material used on a starbee or gyrobee ultralight. But only if the material is supported in the torsional mode.
I tested this material for bending strength and for pull-out or elongation f the holes. I found that as long as some sort of filler block was used where the bolt passes thru the tube and aluminum plate, the holes did not elongate.
As for the bending, this material will bend under load. the plus is that this material will return to normal when the load is removed.
The twist strength of this material, is not as rigid as the aluminum. but if put into a twist, it will return to normal after the load is removed.

with proper triangulation, as done on the tractor, this material provides shock and load dampening features.

[chuter]

Very cool! I hope it works out, this could open a lot of new possibilities for ultralights.

[ymmv]

The 2 main tubes are actual a 1" tube .068 wall inside a 1.125 tube with .058 wall. they telescope to collapse. There is a solid plug at in the middle that allows me to bolt the two together in the extended mode.... All-in-all it's a solid structure.

Very attractive design (not that I'm really qualified to judge it). But telescoping aluminum tubes make me nervous as h3ll. It's the bolt holes and the stress fractures. Is such stuff often done on ultralights, and does it turn out to be safe?

Because if so, it's a really cool way to bring the mast down.

Wicked suspension, too -- I'll be interested to know how it works out in practice. (Me, I'd feel safer with the same suspension made of steel, but I'm biased that way.)

[donshoebridge]

Hey Tim,

Show'm how you hitch up the ponies! :p

HAHAHA

[gyroblackwell]

Hay Don, Just for kicks today I hitched your build up to those ponies, then smacked the buggers in the ass!! You will find your gyro down by the trees in the back-40 of mentone airport! HAHAHAHAHA

And by-the-way ... My gyro kicks your gyros ass ( complements of Gyro-Ron)

:D

[donshoebridge]

With all the rain we're currently getting, it looks like my Hornet is going to be a lightning rod.