Komet Trailer ramp Lever Jack

A while back, I made a lever-type ramp jack for my Komet trailer.
Simple, CHEAP (my middle name) and robust. Then I had a landout on a
soft surface, and it was quite difficult to raise the glider. As a
result, I designed (LOL) the MKII jack, incorporating a large aluminum
plate for the wheels to ride on. I linked it to the ramp with a
swingarm so it would stay aligned. After building two of these rigs
(for others), I've decided that for the .1% of the time I rig (or de-
rig) on soft surfaces, I'll just carry a square of plywood.
Just the same.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0abKXYtBlu8

On Nov 2, 8:38*am, Grider Pirate wrote:
A while back, I made a lever-type ramp jack for my Komet trailer.
Simple, CHEAP (my middle name) and robust. *Then I had a landout on a
soft surface, and it was quite difficult to raise the glider. *As a
result, I designed (LOL) the MKII jack, incorporating a large aluminum
plate for the wheels to ride on. I linked it to the ramp with a
swingarm so it would stay aligned. After building two of these rigs
(for others), I've decided that for the .1% of the time I rig (or de-
rig) on soft surfaces, I'll just carry a square of plywood.
Just the same....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0abKXYtBlu8

Clever!

I've been using a jackable fuselage dolly on an ASK-21 which uses a
similar lever - it's a joy to use. The 2-place ASK-21 is heavier and
the lever is shorter yet it still works easily.

On Nov 2, 8:38*am, Grider Pirate wrote:
A while back, I made a lever-type ramp jack for my Komet trailer.
Simple, CHEAP (my middle name) and robust. *Then I had a landout on a
soft surface, and it was quite difficult to raise the glider. *As a
result, I designed (LOL) the MKII jack, incorporating a large aluminum
plate for the wheels to ride on. I linked it to the ramp with a
swingarm so it would stay aligned. After building two of these rigs
(for others), I've decided that for the .1% of the time I rig (or de-
rig) on soft surfaces, I'll just carry a square of plywood.
Just the same....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0abKXYtBlu8

I think the new one is great, but I agree that it is easier to just
keep a plywood pad in the front of the trailer. I built mine for my
old Ventus with four wheels to give a little better capability on soft
ground following your original design:

http://picasaweb.google.com/TTaylor07/TrailerJack#

I've been occasionally thinking about the best way to set up a
fuselage dolly for a fixed gear glider. All I can say after seeing
your video is "DUH!"

On Nov 2, 10:24*am, Tony wrote:
I've been occasionally thinking about the best way to set up a
fuselage dolly for a fixed gear glider. *All I can say after seeing
your video is "DUH!"

Tony,

For a fixed gear glider there is a dollie with the lever system built
into the dollie so that the wheel would be high enough to go into the
trailer. The height of the whole dollie adjusts with the over cam arm
movement. I don't have the link here but will try to find it.

On Nov 2, 11:46*am, Tim Taylor wrote:
On Nov 2, 10:24*am, Tony wrote:

I've been occasionally thinking about the best way to set up a
fuselage dolly for a fixed gear glider. *All I can say after seeing
your video is "DUH!"

Tony,

For a fixed gear glider there is a dollie with the lever system built
into the dollie so that the wheel would be high enough to go into the
trailer. *The height of the whole dollie adjusts with the over cam arm
movement. *I don't have the link here but will try to find it.

right, after seeing you guys' setups the same sort of idea popped into
mind.

Tony,

Here are some pictures of a very nice cradle setup for a fixed gear
glider.

http://picasaweb.google.com/morhall/GliderCradle#

Morgan

On Nov 2, 10:24*am, Tony wrote:
I've been occasionally thinking about the best way to set up a
fuselage dolly for a fixed gear glider. *All I can say after seeing
your video is "DUH!"

Tony - this looks a lot like mine. Been using it for a long time.
Another advantage is that I don't have to bend over to raise the
plane, just step on the handle. On soft ground you can have an added
advantage - with a plywood ramp shaped like a T. The top of the T has
enough foot print for the rollers, while the long part of the T is
long enough to roll the gear onto. It helps get the wheel out of the
mud. Trailer is at Sunflower. Dennis

On Nov 2, 10:25*am, n7ly wrote:
On Nov 2, 10:24*am, Tony wrote:

I've been occasionally thinking about the best way to set up a
fuselage dolly for a fixed gear glider. *All I can say after seeing
your video is "DUH!"

Tony - this looks a lot like mine. Been using it for a long time.
Another advantage is that I don't have to bend over to raise the
plane, just step on the handle. On soft ground you can have an added
advantage - with a plywood ramp shaped like a T. *The top of the T has
enough foot print for the rollers, while the long part of the T is
long enough to roll the gear onto. It helps get the wheel out of the
mud. *Trailer is at Sunflower. * *Dennis

I just sold my Grob 103 setup with a fuselage jack that worked in a
similar way but also locked to the aircraft for loading onto the
trailer. Check with Coastal Soaring for pictures if you want to
build one.

On Nov 2, 11:45*am, SoaringXCellence wrote:
On Nov 2, 10:25*am, n7ly wrote:

On Nov 2, 10:24*am, Tony wrote:

I've been occasionally thinking about the best way to set up a
fuselage dolly for a fixed gear glider. *All I can say after seeing
your video is "DUH!"

Tony - this looks a lot like mine. Been using it for a long time.
Another advantage is that I don't have to bend over to raise the
plane, just step on the handle. On soft ground you can have an added
advantage - with a plywood ramp shaped like a T. *The top of the T has
enough foot print for the rollers, while the long part of the T is
long enough to roll the gear onto. It helps get the wheel out of the
mud. *Trailer is at Sunflower. * *Dennis

I just sold my Grob 103 setup with a fuselage jack that worked in a
similar way but also locked to the aircraft for loading onto the
trailer. *Check with Coastal Soaring for *pictures if you want to
build one.

Consider this an extension of the ramp idea.

If a fuselage in a jackable dolly can be rolled completely off the
ramp and about 15 feet away from the tailgate, maneuvering the wing
roots off the trailer is much easier - especially if the ramp is
removed once it is not needed.

If a one-man dolly is to be used, it can be placed ahead of the nose
so the wing root can be swung across in front of the nose and then
walked to the fuselage without the past-the-tail do-si-do otherwise
required. This minimizes wing dolly rolling on rough ground.