Hartzell Top Prop TBO

[Hambone]

I was reading on the Hartzell site and found:(emphasis added by me of course)

 

Specifications:
74 inch diameter 2-bladed aluminum hub scimitar propeller
2400 hour / 6 year TBO
62-64 pounds (propeller and spinner)
Diameter reduction allowable to 72.5 inches

 

 

My question is what is realistic on these.  The 2400 hour part seems reasonable but the 6 yr part is what I am having trouvle understanding.  This make the cost of owning their prop about $1000 /yr by itself. ( I was told the overhaul is about 5-7K) What am I missing?  I am looking at a plane with about 200 hrs on the prop.  It has flown a good amount in th elast year but I believe it sat for a couple prior to this wiht the previous owner.  I just want to know if I can expect to have a bill coming my way simly due to time vs wear and usage.

 

 

[Bob_Belville]

I believe you'll find a similar calendar recommendation on overhauling a Lycoming engine. TBO is not a legal requirement. As least for part 91. OSISTM.

 

My prop was new 4/9/09 it now has 125 hours on it: "replaced prop new model HC-C2YR-1BFP/F7497, s/n CH42904B FAA form 337 (eddy current AD no longer applies w new prop)

 

I am not concerned in the slightest that it is over 4 years old.

[orionflt]

As a part 91 type flier you are not held to those recommendations, most GA aircraft go 10-15 yrs before needing any kind of overhaul or repack ( depending on aircraft usage and storage) sitting outside and limited usage will shorten that time. Also, my last overhaul was just over 3k ( two bladed prop) but the prop did not need anything. Obviously if you need blades or a hub that price will increase.

[Cody Stallings]

I will O/H a 2 blade Heartzell for $2200-$2500.

5-7K is way to high... I think the Propeller,spinner& Stc, is around $8500 New..

With 200 hrs you are gonna be fine. Being part:91 you are not bound by TBO like part:135 operation is.

[BorealOne]

My last 3-blade Mcauley prop overhaul cost me about 2k - I've since gone to a Top Prop for the 310hp - expect it won't be that much more to O/H when I get there.

[aaronk25]

Ya your issue isn't a prop sitting but more so the engine sitting. If it a Lycoming and running less than 50hours a year oh boy here comes a cam replacement and that starts at 10k......we don't wear these engines out we rust them out......

[Hambone]

Thanks guys, I was hoping tht was the case.  I appreciate the info. 

[Shadrach]

Ya your issue isn't a prop sitting but more so the engine sitting. If it a Lycoming and running less than 50hours a year oh boy here comes a cam replacement and that starts at 10k......we don't wear these engines out we rust them out......

It's really luck of the draw sometimes! Just to provide a alternative narrative to all of the horror stories- our original factory engine from 1967 was overhauled in 1999 with 1850hrs. There were several years that it flew less than 10 hours. Yes the cam had to be resurfaced, but the engine was ot nearly as corroded as you'd of thought. Just a bit of pitting in the lifters. And this plane lived in MD not Arizona.

[aaronk25]

It's really luck of the draw sometimes! Just to provide a alternative narrative to all of the horror stories- our original factory engine from 1967 was overhauled in 1999 with 1850hrs. There were several years that it flew less than 10 hours. Yes the cam had to be resurfaced, but the engine was ot nearly as corroded as you'd of thought. Just a bit of pitting in the lifters. And this plane lived in MD Arizona.

I hear you but won't that little bit of pitting wear away at the cam? There have been several mooneyspacers who bought a plane that flew low hours say 20 a year for a few years and then the stat flying it a lot and after 200 hours it's makes metal.

[NotarPilot]

I believe I have about 16 years on my prop, if I remember correctly, and see no signs of any issues. My I&A also agrees. My plane is hangared every day.

[Shadrach]

I hear you but won't that little bit of pitting wear away at the cam? There have been several mooneyspacers who bought a plane that flew low hours say 20 a year for a few years and then the stat flying it a lot and after 200 hours it's makes metal.

It certainly is more common than not to have the valve train be the point of failure. My farher-inlaw had the same issue in the first 150hr of Decathlon ownership. I think it had 800SMOH. I theorized that because it is a TD that it's sees a fair amount of time at 600rpm which is thought to be hard on the cams due to lack of oil splash...