Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Ask Questions and Offer Advice Related to the Cessna 120 & 140 Type
Forum rules
You must be a member of the Cessna 120-140 Association in order to post new topics, reply to existing topics, or search for information on this forum. Use the "Join" link in the red menu bar.
8359
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:53 pm
Name: Tamer A
Location: KSNA
Aircraft Type: 1946 C120 O-290-D
Occupation-Interests: Engineer
Contact:

Re: Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Post by 8359 »

My turn to play this game.

My tailwheel tire is looking pretty old, so I want to replace it. The tailwheel has "Maule TW-100, SFS-P8A" on it. The tire is a McCeary 2.80x2.50 4 ply. When I looked up this tire on Aircraft Spruce it gave me the same spec, PN#06-08000 for the tire and 06-08101 for the tube (link). This is the same PN as the Specialty Tires of America Tire/Tube which is also 2.80x2.50 4 ply.

I ordered the tire hoping it would be a match but it looks very different, taller and thinner. I don't think it'll fit fully inflated. Looking closer the wheel is stamped with "TW-31-D." This appears to be the Maule wheel/tire combo that Aircraft Spruce sells here. Should I be safe in ordering that as a replacement? It's actually cheaper than the tire/tube I ordered, but I want to make sure I'm replacing it with correct part.

Any input? As much as I'd like to upgrade the tailwheel to something better like the 3200, I really don't need it at this point. This tailwheel doesn't give me any issues.

Here are a few photos to help visualize what I'm working with:
Image

Image

Image
Image
User avatar
6643
Posts: 2438
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Name: John C
Location: KLCI, NH
Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
Contact:

Re: Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Post by 6643 »

It's the right tire and, unless it's made wrong, it will fit.
8359 wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:22 pmthe wheel is stamped with "TW-31-D." This appears to be the Maule wheel/tire combo that Aircraft Spruce sells here.
That wheel has a 10" tire on it, even bigger...
8359
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:53 pm
Name: Tamer A
Location: KSNA
Aircraft Type: 1946 C120 O-290-D
Occupation-Interests: Engineer
Contact:

Re: Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Post by 8359 »

Thanks John, I'll give it a go. I guess it will probably reshape as it inflates. Just wanted to double check before I mounted it and couldn't return it.
Image
User avatar
7896
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Name: Michael Haas
Location: Richmond, Va
Aircraft Type: Cessna 120
Occupation-Interests: Mechanical Engineer
Contact:

Re: Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Post by 7896 »

I feel your pain!

In the end, I replaced the odd-ball pneumatic tire with a solid tire and bearing (Aircraft Spruce Part # 06-00410). The replacements fit perfectly, so I'm guessing they are the correct components.

IMHO the pneumatic tire had a much better feel on hard surface runways. The solid tire is noticeably louder when the tail-wheel makes contact during landing.

I suppose the change has forced me to be more precise when landing. There is an upside to everything..........

Cheers,
Michael Haas
'46 120 - N76219
Home Base: W96 (Quinton, VA)
8359
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:53 pm
Name: Tamer A
Location: KSNA
Aircraft Type: 1946 C120 O-290-D
Occupation-Interests: Engineer
Contact:

Re: Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Post by 8359 »

^Glad I stuck with the pneumatic wheel, I agree the solid is a bit too hard.

The hardest part was separating the two halves of the wheel.

Image

Image
Image
User avatar
6643
Posts: 2438
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Name: John C
Location: KLCI, NH
Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
Contact:

Re: Tailwheel - Tire and Tube Size

Post by 6643 »

Much better!
Post Reply