Recently purchased a 185 and the tailwheel lock has been removed. Read numerous post about actually using the lock but someone has physically removed it without any paperwork to justify. All the handles and cables are still installed. However, it appears the bellcrank (part bolted onto the tailwheel) is missing. Wonder if someone could post a photo of their tailwheel with the lock fully installed for reference. Thanks.....
1977 Cessna 185F Tailwheel Lock photo
- Thread starter magnaiam
- Start date
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
Thank you. Yes I seen this and the parts diagram which helped me figure out what is missing. I just cannot get a good idea on how it actually works so hopeful that a real life photo will help my brain grasp how this bell crank part hooks up and works. It looks like the lever cable forces the lock to swivel up and down to lock it into place.
tedwaltman1
FOUNDER
Delta, CO
mvivion
SPONSOR
Bozeman,MT
I flew 185 for quite a few hours, and only one of them still had tailwheel lock installed. One or two were never equipped with them.
If I had one, I wouldn't take it off. If there wasn't one on there, I wouldn't spend ten minutes trying to re-install it.
Opinion only, your mileage may vary.
MTV
If I had one, I wouldn't take it off. If there wasn't one on there, I wouldn't spend ten minutes trying to re-install it.
Opinion only, your mileage may vary.
MTV
Well I do not have all the parts. Still do not understand why they would just remove the parts. Just do not use it if that is the opinion. So I am now trying to figure it all out so I can obtain them to put it back on. The parts list help but photos are best when looking for used parts that you have never seen before. The cables and cockpit stuff is all installed. But the cables are just coiled up in the tail section of the plane. There is nothing at all at the tail wheel. But I do agree, that is why the post.
Dave Calkins
Registered User
Anchorage, Alaska
i wouldnt bother with the lock stuff. I would remove the rest of it. I understand it was an optional installation.
Looks like your tailwheel is undersize for that fork
Also, it is common to have that oval clip so the largeer radius is on the steering arm rather than shown on yours.
Also, your steering cable end is a nico sleeve and not the swaged ball that is proper for that "tang" style of connection.
Maybe fix those items before you do a lock.
mike mcs repair
Registered User
chugiak AK
we would remove them from any our 185's when we got a new plane for the Air taxi...
BC12D-4-85
SPONSOR
Fairbanks, AK.
Two reasons for a lock...tailwheel ski on pavement as noted, and can help keep the tail from moving sideways in a strong crosswind when parked if it can't be tied down. I blew out two tail tires from tail ski wobble in Kotzebue...strange place for it to happen but it gets windy. Finally figured out the cause and quit carrying a spare tire and tube. Wobble gets worse if there's frozen ice glued to the top of the ski causing imbalance.
GAP
GAP
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
As I Recall the locking tail wheel was standard on the 185 and optional on the 180.
It prevents shimmy which can happen when landing in cross winds on pavement when the steering mechanism kicks out, which can be followed by a ground loop, which can be followed by the main gear folding.
Perhaps Cessna figured that there was more need on the higher gross weight 185s?
algonquin
MEMBER
Seldovia,Ak
My 185F had the locking t/w but when I bought it the lock arm had been removed and a banner release installed. They used the cable to work it. I don't know if the Scott was compatible as there was a MacCaulley on the plane and it had the notch for the lock. They also had a 1 1/8" stinger and the only Scott replacement is from ABW's.
I don't fly on skis so I've never found a need for a lock on either my 180 or the 185, I've never had a problem. If you load tail heavy at gross and Cobb the power to it on the turn to the rwy she will give you a ride but still controllable. BTW I run 29"'s with a ABW Wide T/W, glider tire. Taxiing is no issue until the wind get greater than maybe 20-25 Kts. Still no real problem just go slow.
I don't fly on skis so I've never found a need for a lock on either my 180 or the 185, I've never had a problem. If you load tail heavy at gross and Cobb the power to it on the turn to the rwy she will give you a ride but still controllable. BTW I run 29"'s with a ABW Wide T/W, glider tire. Taxiing is no issue until the wind get greater than maybe 20-25 Kts. Still no real problem just go slow.
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
If you remove it, it can't cause you problems if it breaks, fails, or gets accidentally applied.
Same reason why the sometimes troublesome parking brake system has been removed on a lot of old Cessna taildraggers.
Currently there is an ABW on the plane with a 10" TW. I called up to ABW and the ABW fork does not have provisions for the lock nor can a lock be added. The original TW for this plane was a Mac and has been removed (The previous owner does have the this one yet). So I either have to go back to original MAC around $1000 for everything that is missing, remove the ABW assembly and install The Landing Gear Works about $4000 for everything, or leave it alone (which messes with the certificate).
Airworthy certificate. My plane came with it factory installed. I read all of ABW installs and no where does it say to remove tailwheel lock. Isn't the factory equipment supposed to remain functional unless mod with STC or 337. i am new to all this stuff so I am just trying to understand and figure this out. Trust me I do not want to spend money on this as there are other things I would like to do on the plane. But then again I want to be legal and not have issues with insurance or others.
I have 2 cores. A complete stock McCauley and a complete ABW. But they only want to give me $225 for each core. After some more thought, if I cannot figure out the paperwork side I don't think I should turn that ABW setup in for $225. Not when a new setup costs $1600. Sure I could find someone to buy it for more to help offset the cost of this thing. Still hopeful someone is going to come up with some sort of paperwork idea.
Before you spend a lot of money I would do some research so you understand what you need from a paperwork prospective. Just because it was stuck in at the factory does not mean it has to stay. Do you think every ag model pa 18A is still flying around without a rear stick? What about the KING ADF that came with a lot of planes from the factory? Do they have to stay in for the life of the plane???
DENNY
DENNY
algonquin
MEMBER
Seldovia,Ak
It's no big deal at all. First the Scott 3400 is cert. on skywagons and the ABW 3400 is a direct replacement for the. Scott, it's a simple log book entry not even a 337. If it's the big fork and wide wheel there is a STC and all you need is a IA to fill out a 337 and make a log book entry. The locking T/W is a simple entry in the log book, it's not reguired so it can be removed no harm. Again the Wt. and Bal. Would need to be adjusted to reflect the wt. change. This is of course assuming it org. Had a locking t/w on it. The very best thing in reguard to this is have the plane weight and do a new wt. and Bal. Which is a excellent idea when you by a new plane. You can PM me if I can help. Tom
Well I have done enough research to be sick of tailwheel locks and to conclude that the ABW is staying on. ABW has a FAA approval with my 185F model number, a FAA approved parts diagram with no tailwheel lock shown. All paperwork appears to be in order in my logs/stc. Will do more log book investigation though and New wt and balance will be done. I figure this will be enough to keep me out of trouble. After flying it for a bit if I feel the need for the lock I will spring for the new tailwheel. They did not start putting them on 180/185 till 1964. Tough when one supplier says not required and another says it's required. If I had endless money i would probably put the lock on but as it stands I don't think it is required to be on. Personal opinion only after lots of reading, phone calls, and emails to people a lot smarter on the subject than me. Thanks for all your time and help.
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