Description

WHLT- 8DXT

Matco Aircraft Landing Systems produces a superior dual fork 8 inch tail wheel for eXTreme use with tail dragger aircraft which require a wide tail wheel–the T-8DXT.

DIMENSIONS

The T-8DXT tail wheel has an 8 inch 2.80/2.50-4 inch pneumatic tire and an overall length of 9.3 inches.Maximum width of this tail wheel with fully splayed arms is 7 inches and overall height is 11 inches.This cast aluminum tail wheel weighs 8.5 pounds.  This unit is the most rugged of the 8 inch tailwheel units.  It can optionally use a smooth tread 9×3.00 tire.  It can also be made with 0.75 tapered roller bearings.

FEATURES

The T-8DXT tail wheel utilizes a dual fork configuration and incorporates a geometric release mechanism that allows the wheel to caster after reaching a steered angle of 40 degrees (earlier release available with optional steering arms WHLT-03A). The WHLTW40EE wheel used on the WHLT-8DXT has a .625 precision sealed ball bearing which is rigorously tested and designed to resist bearing fatigue providing a long bearing life.The arms and wings of the tail wheel fork assembly are composed of 4130 which is heat treated to a Rockwell 38-43 to ensure strength and are irridited to prevent corrosion. The tail wheel base and forks are cast and then black anodized to prevent corrosion as well.The wheel halves are die cast aluminum for light weight and superior strength.The T-8DXT features split rims for ease of mounting and dismounting its 10×3.50-4 tire and tube assembly.

The tail wheel assembly is both steerable and full swiveling and provides easy installation with variant spring tension.This wheel has been designed to release with light spring tension and fits a 1.5 wide spring ( it can optionally be built for 1.75 inch wide spring).  Adapter plates can accommodate either a 1.25 or 1.50 inch (if the optional 1.75 width base were specified)  wide spring.  The base unit that mounts to the spring is also machined from extrusion.  It is available with a two hole mounting option. The assembly should be mounted on the flat spring so that the pivoting axle is as close to vertical as possible when the plane is loaded.All assembly bushings are made of oil impregnated brass so no lubrication is needed during the life of the tail wheel.In addition, the shaft has been redesigned to .625 for added strength and durability.

See the drawing below for explanation of how the GEOMETRIC RELEASE works