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Thread: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

  1. #1
    WISDAN's Avatar
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    Default Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    [Could anyone tell me the tow in setting if any on a model 4 tri-gear?
    Dan G.
    Model IV 1200 - Tri-gear
    Jabiru 2200
    Flying

  2. #2
    WISDAN's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    Sorry, for got to add has grove spring gear
    Dan G.
    Model IV 1200 - Tri-gear
    Jabiru 2200
    Flying

  3. #3
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    There is no universally accepted answer to this; many different opinions. Do a search on this forum for Wheel Alignment and you will get some good discussion. Since the Grove gear has the axle mounting pads machined after the gear is bent to shape, it is quite accurate at neutral toe-in/out. Many guys, including me, just stay with that and have good results (Kitfox SS7).
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

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    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    Thanks, I was curious also
    Eddie

  5. #5
    WISDAN's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    Thank you for the advice, I'll try it neutral and see how it goes for me.
    Dan G.
    Model IV 1200 - Tri-gear
    Jabiru 2200
    Flying

  6. #6
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    I checked the toe in on my Model 5 and found it was perfectly neutral. I like the way it handles, wheel landings feel good.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  7. #7
    WISDAN's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF 4

    Thanks Phil I appreciate it!
    Dan G.
    Model IV 1200 - Tri-gear
    Jabiru 2200
    Flying

  8. #8
    Senior Member jtpitkin06's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tow in setting on tri gear KF

    Toe in is used for tracking on vehicles that steer from the front. I.e. Four wheel autos and some motorcycle trikes. If you have a tail dragger you want either neutral or toe out. If the aircraft starts to turn, weight shifts to the outside tire toed out (away from the turn) and tends to track straight. If you have toe in the tendency to turn would be increased.

    If you have a nose wheel, there is no other front tire and thus it has no toe in. When the aircraft starts to turn, weight shifts to the outside main tire which is already aft of the nose wheel and aft of the cg. Thus a nose wheel aircraft has a natural tendency to track straight and does not require toe in or out.

    When setting toe in or out remember it doesn't take much. Just 1 degree would track 1 foot off for every 60 feet traveled. That's a lot of scuffing. Typical toe out is about zero to 0.25 degrees.

    John p

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