Mooney propeller transport question

[AlanaTX]

Disclaimer: I am not a pilot or know anything about planes, I am helping a family member take care of part of an estate. The deceased was a pilot and this was his plane (1978 Mooney M20J). The family is trying to get it maintained and freshened up in order to sell it.  I'm sure my question is a "DUH" for many here, but I appreciate any help!

I need to transport (and later pick up) a propeller to a repair shop a couple of hours away. I was planning on moving it in the bed of my pickup truck that it's a liiiiiiiittle too wide for, making me set the prop in at an angle, putting some pressure on the blade resting on the side of the truck bed.

Will this damage the propeller? Does it need to ride flat and strapped down, perhaps on a trailer or in the back of a Uhaul? Padded? I know these things are pretty tough, but I also don't want to add any damage by bending anything while bouncing it down the road for 100 miles.

 

[jetdriven]

wrap the prop leading and trailing edges with that gray pipe insulation then wraop the whole thing with lots of bubble wrap. then strap it down

[MikeOH]

3 minutes ago, jetdriven said:

wrap the prop leading and trailing edges with that gray pipe insulation then wraop the whole thing with lots of bubble wrap. then strap it down

What he said, but when the prop shop picked up my prop they had an old tire in the bed of the truck that they put the center hub of the prop in, and the blades rested on the sides of the tire.

And, now that I think about it...are you sure YOUR prop shop won't pick-up and deliver the prop?  The shop I used was a couple hours away and they had no issue/no extra charge. To be fair, I'm in the Los Angeles area and they have two trips a week scheduled.  But you might want to ask.

[AlanaTX]

The tire thing is brilliant. Thanks for the advice!

[AlanaTX]

28 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

What he said, but when the prop shop picked up my prop they had an old tire in the bed of the truck that they put the center hub of the prop in, and the blades rested on the sides of the tire.

And, now that I think about it...are you sure YOUR prop shop won't pick-up and deliver the prop?  The shop I used was a couple hours away and they had no issue/no extra charge. To be fair, I'm in the Los Angeles area and they have two trips a week scheduled.  But you might want to ask.

I'm also pretty sure that this shop doesn't pick up, as it probably would have been mentioned in the initial appointment and pricing conversations, but we all know what happens when we assume... I'll double check for sure.

[MikeOH]

Just now, AlanaTX said:

I'm also pretty sure that this shop doesn't pick up, as it probably would have been mentioned in the initial appointment and pricing conversations, but we all know what happens when we assume... I'll double check for sure.

Yes, I had to ask my shop; they didn't volunteer.

[Shadrach]

Most prop shops pick up from airports within a fairly large radius. My prop shop is 115 miles away and they have picked up and delivered my prop for every overhaul. Make sure you’re not on their route before you go to the trouble.

[MikeOH]

2 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

Most prop shops pick up from airports within a fairly large radius. My prop shop is 115 miles away and they have picked up and delivered my prop for every overhaul. Make sure you’re not on their route before you go to the trouble.

My point, exactly!

[Shadrach]

9 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

My point, exactly!

Indeed, you were just 60 seconds faster…

[EricJ]

Two tires, some moving blankets, some shipping cling-wrap, and some bungee cords.  Adjust as necessary for materials availability.    The pool noodle/pipe insulation/bubble wrap idea isn't bad.    You do want to cover up the back of the hub so that dirt/dust/crap doesn't get in the prop hub.

If it's a three-bladed prop it gets trickier, but the idea is similar.

 

[glbtrottr]

What city are you in?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

We have a prop guy around here if more details are needed…. @Cody Stallings

We also have people that would buy the plane as is…  estate sales are the norm for forever-planes… the M20J is a very nice forever-plane!

Some buyers prefer the plane untouched… for their ideas to be included later…

 

Keep in mind a prop is a 5 - 15k device that is easy to scratch and nick…  be super careful while moving it.

Why are you moving it?

Some people get surprised with work be offered for a prop… that turns into a huge project once the shop has their hands on it…

Prop work is best done by an educated consumer…  get up to speed before getting surprised…

Private Pilot thoughts only, not a prop guy… Cody is our prop guy, with great recommendations…

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Steve0715]

Since the op said the prop was too wide for his p/u, it’s probably a 3 blade prop.  Maybe not but that would be a more difficult transport.  Perhaps several pallets to raise the support level with the final layer a tire for cushion.

As a potential buyer, my worry on the job is alluded to by @carusoamthat most buyers would prefer the ability to control the quality of work.  What other projects does the family have planned to get the J ready to sell?  I agree that selling as-is would preferable from a buyer standpoint.  I know that when I look at an ad that states recent annual or recent overhaul, I’m skeptical and would discount that work unless done by a known shop.

only thoughts from a wanna be owner educated daily on Mooney Space.

[Pinecone]

Why does it need to go the prop shop?  Is there something visibly wrong with it?

There are guidelines for overhauls, but they are not mandatory for typical GA flying.

And if there is something wrong, set up for an IRAN, not an OVERHAUL.

IRAN (Inspect and Repair As Necessary) allows the shop to take it apart, inspect it, and only do what is required.  An OVERHAUl requires them to replace things that might not need replacing.

[jetdriven]

yep, 2500 SNEW, 500 since iran.  This prop is 23 years old.

[PT20J]

12 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Why does it need to go the prop shop?  Is there something visibly wrong with it?

There are guidelines for overhauls, but they are not mandatory for typical GA flying.

And if there is something wrong, set up for an IRAN, not an OVERHAUL.

IRAN (Inspect and Repair As Necessary) allows the shop to take it apart, inspect it, and only do what is required.  An OVERHAUl requires them to replace things that might not need replacing.

I believe they also have to reprofile the blades for an OH, and you can only do that so many times before the blades are out of spec and have to be replaced. My well-known prop shop suggested an IRAN and said if they found a problem once it is disassembled they could always convert it to an overhaul.

[Pinecone]

That is a HUGE point.

Overhaul an engine, IRAN a prop is what I have seen as recommendations.

The engine advice was, if you have to split the case, you might consider the overhaul to reset the clock, as you are almost there.

[AlanaTX]

On 1/19/2023 at 8:23 AM, Steve0715 said:

Since the op said the prop was too wide for his p/u, it’s probably a 3 blade prop.  Maybe not but that would be a more difficult transport.  Perhaps several pallets to raise the support level with the final layer a tire for cushion.

As a potential buyer, my worry on the job is alluded to by @carusoamthat most buyers would prefer the ability to control the quality of work.  What other projects does the family have planned to get the J ready to sell?  I agree that selling as-is would preferable from a buyer standpoint.  I know that when I look at an ad that states recent annual or recent overhaul, I’m skeptical and would discount that work unless done by a known shop.

only thoughts from a wanna be owner educated daily on Mooney Space.

Yeah, it's a 3 blade.  The family is not trying to fully overhaul the plane or anything, but on the advice of the hanger owner where it's stored, who is also a long-time friend of the pilot, they are doing some basic things to make sure it's flyable. It has been sitting for a while.

[Steve0715]

@AlanaTXjust a suggestion.  When you get it flyable, get the logbooks scanned, take numerous pictures.  Take good pictures of the avionics.  Bring it here to Mooney Space.  Your best buyer is probably here.

[Cody Stallings]

I haul them on Tires as well, seems to be the safest way to go about it.

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by Cody Stallings

[carusoam]

Alana,

MS is a great place to list a Mooney for sale…

It may make sense to start the process of listing the details here…

+1 for having the logs scanned and ready to send out…

and be ready to handle questions about pre-purchase inspections…

 

Where is the plane located? (State)

 

Best regards,

-a-