Question about my propeller

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astaib
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Question about my propeller

Post by astaib »

Hello,

I sent my prop for overhaul 2 weeks ago (MT Prop) and it seems that one part has a crack (guide rod, ref on the offer: A252-D156) and I am asking myself where this part is and to what it looks like.

The word to word translation (from French) is “tube for pitch change”.

If you have a picture, drawing or sketch it would be nice of you.

Thanks!

Arnaud.
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Steve
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by Steve »

Hi Arnaud:

I have one of the original MT Props (MTV-12-B/180-17) on my Star. It was overhauled almost 5 years ago. The only part close to what you describe on mine was replacement of 3 Pitch Change Blocks (P/N: A-380-B). My overhaul cost $5K. My hub had to be shipped to Germany to be bored out for steel inserts (that part of the bill was over $1K, including $270 round trip shipping to Germany!). Hopefully yours doesn't cost as much...

Steve

PS: I don't have any drawings, but I came across this: http://wiki.velocityoba.com/index.php?t ... op_Rebuild which shows the internal parts of a prop like mine.
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astaib
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by astaib »

Hello,

Lately the overhaul prices at MT in Germany and here in France too has increased dramatically.
You have to count 4K€ for a basic overhaul if everything is fine.
In my case I have +500€ because of the part that I described and because of wedges to neutralize the play on each blade.
Thanks god no parts had to go to Germany because the have 12 weeks of delays!

Here are the 2 parts that have to be changed on mine:
182DEC8E-B8C2-4687-8781-B7BD1E8ED7F1.jpeg
Arnaud
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Joey
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by Joey »

The overhaul costs for the MT are at the tipping point that you might want to consider a switch to the 2 bladed aluminum Hartzell. We sold the MT hub and the cost was equal to the mt overhaul. Almost any mechanic can work on an aluminum prop without having to ship it off and ground your plane for 6-8 weeks.
Joey Ritchie
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JGG Williamsburg VA
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astaib
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by astaib »

Not a bad idea for next overhaul.
What is the price of the Hartzell 2 blades Alu ?
Are the performance similar to the MT-Propeller wood 3 blades?

Thanks.
Arnaud
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Rich
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by Rich »

For my plane the Al Hartzell vs. my MT is a no-go. Weighing 16 pounds more than the MT, it would give me significant forward-CG problems, plus cut into useful load. The "solution" (if you could call it that) is to add yet more dead weight in the tail. And both the Hartzells result in somewhat lesser ground clearance between prop tips and loose gravel, errant screwdrivers, etc.

To say "almost any mechanic" can work on the Hartzells is only true to a point. (This can also be said of the MT, BTW.) Prop shops do plenty of business with metal-blade props. Anything more than minor ding filing means the prop goes to such a shop.

One big downside of the MT is shipping it, intact, anywhere. Next overhaul I'll probably pull it off and drive it myself to (or fly the plane and leave it at) one of the prop shops fairly near that can overhaul it.
Last edited by Rich on Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Steve
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by Steve »

Rich wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:10 pmOne big downside of the MT is shipping it, intact, anywhere. Next overhaul I'll probably pull it off and drive it myself to (or fly the plane and leave it at) one of the prop shops fairly near that can overhaul it.
Luckily, for my overhaul, the prop shop sent a pickup truck to my hangar equipped with a rack to secure the prop, and returned it the same way when the overhaul was complete.
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by Joey »

The cost for a new Hartzell prop was about 8,000. In my xls I had about 16 lbs of ballast that I removed and the net was about 1 lb lighter. Performance is slightly better by 1-2 kts at cruise. Rate of climb is the same. The three blade prop looks cooler parked on the ramp. My airport is a “rock garden” and I had several dings in the prop. The local A&P can blend it out but the MT had to be shipped off for repair. The second issue with the MT caused us to switch to Hartzell.
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by astaib »

Hello Joey,

The minor dings in the MT can be repair by yourself with any 5 minutes 2-component epoxy, they have a document to explain what can be done and not by the pilot-owner.

I already did it on mine before this overhaul (when the plane was not mine).

Arnaud.
Arnaud
DA40 Star 180 / 40.026 / 2001
Wingtip, landing and taxing LED (Whelen)
Skitube
GNS430 NON-WAAS
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Re: Question about my propeller

Post by blsewardjr »

Agree with Joey -- adds 1-2 kt, much more durable, but increased vibration, particularly at shutdown. My airplane when it was in a flying club had the MT prop and the resulting dings were large and not field repairable. Mine is a 2003 so the big downside of the aluminum is it's heavier and also makes the aircraft nose heavy. However, while close, I can still fly two in the front without going beyond W&B limits although sometimes I add some weight in the back.
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