Comparison Of Control Linkages

[RICK MARTIN]

The other day I had a chance to see a Starbee Gyro control stick and linkage system. I was impressed with how "tight" the system was. It had absolutely no noticable slop, but it was also fairly new.

I have a Brock system on my Bee and it is getting pretty sloppy after only about 60 hours. I realize most control systems will develop a degree of slop.

My question is: Has anyone put 50 or more hours on a Starbee system and can you report on how the system is holding up? If I can't find a system that is built better, I may consider a pump handle.

[banaari]

Does sitting in the wee beastie making engine noises while waggling a StarBee stick count as loggable time?? :D :D

In all seriousness - as far as the stick & walking-beam assembly goes, all the moving parts use what seem to be acetal (Delrin) or nylon washers and/or bushings. Any slop develops - just replace the "consumable" bits.

Having said that - I don't know if the roll bushings fore-and-aft of the beam are off-the-shelf components, or if Dana machines them.

hope this helps,
John

[Chuck Roberg]

I've seen a few gyros with the pump handle set up. In my opinion I think the pump handle set up developes slop a lot sooner than a stick & walking-beam assembly.

One of my friends swapped out his pump handle for the stick & walking-beam assembly. Because of the slop in the pump handle.

[gyromike]

Maybe it depends on the type/manufacturer of pump handle, Chuck.

I have a Bensen factory pump handle on my gyro, and after 150+ hrs. it has zero slop.
None. :)

But it is built around a small automotive U-joint for the pivot.
It uses needle bearings, and has grease zerks.

[Timchick]

The walking beam on my Brock has a little slop in it also. No idea how many hours is on it. A friend has a machine shop and he manufactures things out of Delrin. He's going to try making some Delrin bushings for mine.

[RICK MARTIN]

Thanks guys,

Yes, I'm sure the quality of materials, the design, and the make and model of a pump handle or any other system will make a difference in durability.

I appreciate your comments. Very interesting Mike.

Anyone else? Especially about the Starbee system?