Ski dolly

[Tim]

I bought a set of Aero 2000 skis from a lurker on this site. He gave me a set of dollies to copy. When the handle cams over it lifts the skis 6" off the floor(ground). Is it necessary for them to be 6" high. I thought maybe 1 or 2". I've been looking at this all afternoon trying to figure out why 2 " wouldn't be enough. I thought there was a thread on ski dollies but I couldn't find it.



http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//827/medium/skies_004_Small_.jpg

[behindpropellers]

I think you need that high to push them over center.

Tim

[cubflier]

Here is an old thread:

http://www.supercub.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=9360&highlight=ski+dollies

I have dollies for my Landis 2500 that cam over from axle center.

We had to put a short version of the check cable on the rear of the ski to keep the tails from dragging the ground. The tail of the ski still hangs lower than the front so a little clearance is nice.

One more consideration (other than the cam over issue above) to not get too close to the ground is the presence of any gravel that you may encounter of your taxi to good snow. In my case I have a short stretch of it and it's nice to be above it, particularly in the spring when it's showing.

Jerry

[Tim]

Thanks Jerry, that's the thread I was looking for. Now I have to figure out if I want to make a 2 wheel or single wheel dolly.
Tim

[Broknbone]

Thanks for posting this. I'm just about to finish putting new plastic on my skis and ski dolly's are my next project. I've been mulling over several technical points, lifting height being one of them.

I think that the minimum height would be determined by how the ski is rigged and how angled the ski sits when lifted by the the dolly. The greater the angle, the lower back of the ski, and the higher it will need to be lifted if you don't want to drag the back of the ski on the pavement. I've seen folks use a strap to secure the back of the ski from sagging and dragging, but it would be nice not to have to take that extra step.

I imagine everyones ski's are rigged slightly different. I will have take some measurements once I put my ski's on to figure out the clearance I will need.

I really like the looks of the two wheel design. A two wheeled design will keep the ski nice a level side to side. I have a buddy who uses a single wheeled dolly with the wheel outboard of the ski. It looks like too much of a bending moment on the gear axle to me. Maybe the axle can handle the stress without ill effects, but it just looks wrong.

A concern I have with the T-handle lift design is the potential for the dolly wheel to inadvertently move forward and whip the T-Handle back injuring somebody or something (like the wing strut). I wonder if anyone has had this happen?

Would you be willing to post some close ups of the dolly? I would like to know how the mechanism of how the dolly is secured through the ski.

[Widebody]

Now I have to figure out if I want to make a 2 wheel or single wheel dolly.
Tim

Just something to look at. Built mine to break down and take along if needed.
http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//814/medium/100_0041.jpg

[Tim]

Brad, I like your design. What is the jack for? How high does it lift the ski off the ground?

Tim

[S2D]

Cheeze Brad, do you have anything that isn't painted up nice and pretty?(Skis) Come over this winter and we'll take some of the shine off that stuff.


Tim
I like the idea of the two wheel dollies too. bought four wheel s couple of years ago, just to busy procrastinating to get them made. Seems that big handle might be hitting the struts. Have you tried them yet

[Tim]

I haven't had them on yet, but I did alot of measuring and they miss the struts by 4 inches. Gotta go find some tires and iron.

Tim

[Widebody]

Tim, the jack is for taking your wheels off & putting your skis on, or vice versa :lol: (couldn't resist that one). The pad on top of the jack is built to fit on the axle just inboard of the tire, after removing the tire it allows enough room to slide your ski on without hitting the jack. When on my dollies the back of the ski is about 1-2 inches off the ground.
I like that 2 wheel setup also, might have to modify mine some day.

Brian, Nope. But other than the Cub (for now), I do have some dullness sitting around here and there. You make the call and I'll be there to scratch those skis up, see ya this winter.

Brad

[cubflier]

Brad,

I noticed that your dolly wheel seems to be a few inches from the edge of the ski. Do you ever have any issues or concerns with the wheels that far from the edge of the ski with regards to stressing the gear outward?

Jerry

[Widebody]

Jerry,

Haven't had any trouble yet. But when I'm full of gas- 61gal and gear, I notice some stress on the dolly wheel, but I don't have to taxi very far. I kinda like the looks of the two wheel system and I'm sure there would be less stress. Wheel penetrating skis better yet, that's what I need :D .

Brad

[Tim]

After thinking about building the dollies, I changed my mind. I think this will work. A piece of 3/4" plywood and 4 caster wheels. The wheels are rated for 250# each. I set the plane down on it and moved it back and forth some, it seemed fine. I just jacked the plane up and set it on the dolly. I only have to move the plane from the hanger out the door to the apron. Now lets hear it :D
http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//827/medium/skies_006_Small_.jpg
http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//827/medium/skies_005_Small_.jpg

[Dave Calkins]

I taxi the aircraft with both styles of my dollies......at gross weight......the ones on the Cessna 180 and 185 a/c, as well. It is convenient.

However, if all you need is a cheap and easy way out of the hangar, even a dozen 16" lengths of 1" dowel will get you there. Tim, be proud of your dollies if they work for you.

D

[Crash]

For straight in and out of the hanger I use a few sticks of 1/2" electrical conduit under the skis. If the floor is swept clean the plane moves with very little effort.

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//769/medium/PA18_ski_side.JPG

Take care.

Crash

[Scouter]

Uh Tim, you wont be able to run this setup with a ski on one side, and a bushwheel on the other. Its best just to take that old bushwheel off and send the pair up to Maine, Ill see if I can do something with it. 8)

Jim

[Tim]

Jim, I plan on running a ski on one side and a Bushwheel on the other side. As the snow gets deeper and the plane starts to pull to the left, I guess I'll have to put the other ski on. It's a test you know :crazyeyes:

Tim

[Broknbone]

Well, I built my ski dolly's and I learned a few things. For example, I'm a crappy welder and 2 inches of snow doesn't provide much cushion. First time I tried to use the dolly, the handle broke off and I landed square on my ass. But, after a little cursing and a re-weld, I was back in business.

I made a two wheel dolly. The pipe for the inboard wheel fits inside the pipe from the outboard wheel and I lock the two together with a 1/4" locking pin. I welded a ring around the inner and outer pipes to "capture" the tower and keep the dolly from sliding either inboard or outboard.

I lifted the ski two inches. My plane is fairly heavy and I'm not sure I could lift it much higher without a longer lever arm. My lever arm is about 33" and rests on the front of the ski. I doesn't even come close to hitting the wing strut so I only have to worry about personal injury related to handle issues (like a butt contusion).

The ski balances pretty level but, at two inches, there is slack in the rear check cable. I suspect I will still need to strap up the tail of the skis if I have to taxi the plane any significant distance to get to snow.

Hope this helps. Check your welds.

[RedEye]

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/100_2084.JPG

Tim,

I'll weld you up a set if you'd like ! They only jack the ski a few inches off the ground and cam-over far enough that the ski is held level by the handle ! Let me know, get hold of me. I believe the hole on the Areo's is 7/8" right ? :-?

[RedEye]

Crash's Idea is by far the simplest. Before I had dollies I would just shovel a little snow in on the floor to slide her in and out on !! :o Non-heated hanger of course !! :o

[cpthazard]

I remember my Grand dad telling me it was too bad I was born simple.....hurtful words them.....

We're planning on a big ski outing tomorrow on the best snow we've had in several years. I went out to the airport this afternoon, jacked my cub up, took the tires off and installed the skis, hooked up the bungee's and safety cables, plugged in the oil heater, found my snowshoes and wet weather boots, put them in the back. I've got a little setup with some old 8:00x4 tires on straight axle's that neck down to the dolly hole in the skis. In years past I would push the cub out of the hanger, fire it up and taxi very slowly out to the "ski strip" between the taxi way and runway, make a hard left and goose the engine to get me into the snow. Then I jack the plane up and pull the little dollies out and the fun starts. Great this is going to be the best new years ever....just before heading home I drove out to check on the ski strip.....no wonder grandad called me names, there ain't enough snow out there to get a touring car stuck....anybody else would have gone out to check on the snow before going to all the needless work, now I have to reverse it all, fly to our snowbound airport and do it all over. Something about skiing though, it cuts through lots of layers of everyday B.S. and puts everything in proper perspective, even for us dirt sucking desert dwellers there's nothing more fun than a day out helling around with your buds in Cubs on Skis!!!

[Dave Calkins]

there's nothing more fun than a day out helling around with your buds in Cubs on Skis!!!

[Crash]

Even with wheel skis or dollies it can be hard to push a plane around on the ramp or in-out of the hanger with ice and snow on the ground. This is especially true with a heavier plane like a Cessna.

I made a front hitch for my 4 wheel drive 4 wheeler and chained up the front tires. The hitch is just a 12" section of 5" channel steel, a piece of 3/8" plate steel for the hitch plate and some "U" bolts. It mounts and dismounts in a couple of minutes.

The tow bar is a Brackett with a 2" ball. It has different cups for different aircraft available.

This set up works really well in all seasons (less tire chains in the summer) if you don't have help moving the plane.

Crash

http://www.brackettaircraft.com/universal%20towbars.htm

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//769/medium/IMG_2060.JPG

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//769/medium/IMG_2059.JPG

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//769/medium/IMG_2058.JPG

[Litecub]

I posted a picture of my Glastar on ski dollies and a tow bar under Litecub photos. I have not figured out how to lick a picture yet.
Bob

[Dave Calkins]

I posted a picture of my Glastar on ski dollies and a tow bar under Litecub photos. I have not figured out how to lick a picture yet.
Bob

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/IMG_0726.JPG

[Dave Calkins]

If you'd like to learn how to post a photo, or a thumbnail that links to a full size photo, or highlight some type and make it a link to a photo or something:

go to the "Website Q and A" section and there is a very simple tutorial to aid you in achieving this.

DAVE

[Bill Rusk]

My C-170B on skis

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/billskiis3.jpg


Here are a couple of photos of my ski dollys. The dolly axle hole in the pedistal of the Aeroski is much lower than the federal pedistal. As a result, if your dollys were made for Federal skis and then used on the Aero skis it will lift your ski way up. I used the Aero ski drawings as a guide to build these. Had I used the plans as is my Federal ski would have been lifted about a 1/4 inch max. Ergo, the Aero ski drawing is for the Aero ski. Duh. The pin is threaded on the end, goes through the two parts, and then the handle goes over the pin and into the tube. Pretty well over engineered, but looks good and works well. The guy who welded these up for me is willing to make others. PM me if interested.

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/Ski_Flying_013.jpg

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/Ski_Flying_019.jpg

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/Ski_Flying_020.jpg

[cabinflyer]

I think there is still someone in Brainerd, Mn (KBRD) that make them commercially. I have a set with small bias ply tires. They work great. I bet you could land with them on in the right conditions (ie. Hold my beer and watch this!)

:drinking:

[S2D]

My C-170B on skis

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//500/medium/billskiis3.jpg




Bill your rear check cables seem a little long. have you measured the angle?

I like your dolly wheels, I'm gonna copy them.
Brian

[Dave Calkins]

Bill, nice looking dollies. Pretty similar to Aero's drawing, but with improvements. Great photo, too!

I'm with Brian, first thing I thought when I saw your nice photo is that your rear check cables are too long and your skis are flying too nose up. You're giving away cruise performance over how she'd go if those skis were rigged with, say, 1 to maybe 1.5 degrees of incidence compared to the wing. Great photo, anyway.

DAVE

[Bill Rusk]

I agree that the rear cable is too long. I actually had no idea they were that nose up until I saw this photo myself. Sold the plane this summer and the skis and dollies went in another direction so it is a mute point now but I definately learned something and when I rig my skis for the cub I will shoot for about 1 to 1.5 degrees nose up.

Thanks for the inputs gents.

Bill