Best way to move my prop to shop (sans airplane)?

[BigD]

I’m taking my prop to shop for overhaul. What best way to transport it? They said to cover blades with cardboard but is laying at an angle in my truck the right thing? I think laying flat would be best. Any suggestions? Thanks! Also check out sludgey oil! Should I clean that out with something more than a rag?

 

 

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[Gordon Cragg]

I have transported 3 blade Hartzell in the back of my Ford F-150. I put a shop towel in the hub to help with oil residue, lay flat with the hub in the middle of a main gear tire (6:00 x 6). I also put a foam around the tips. Strap it down and your ready to go.

 

[Hank]

I'd wrap the blades as the shop said, and hold it together with duct tape. Then bag the hub in plastic, protect with cardboard and tape. Lay it inside a van, or strap it securely to a pallet and put it in a truck. As long as the blades aren't carrying the weight and the tips are protected, it shouldn't hurt having the pallet tilted in the bed of your truck. But again, confirm with the shop. 

Cover the whole thing with a tarp, wrapped under the high side of the pallet. For a long ride, I'd wrap one tarp around the pallet from the bottom and tie it closed, then put a second one on top so that water won't blow inside.

[RLCarter]

All I’d add to what’s been said already is buy the small cheap Harbor Freight moving blankets (3 minimum) to wrap the blade tips…..getting it there and not damaging it is easier than getting back, that’s where you don’t to scratch the fresh paint after overhaul ….. 

I would have the prop flange looked at by an A&P/IA…. Looks to have corrosion that needs to addressed before you need a new crankshaft 

Edited June 8, 2023 by RLCarter

[A64Pilot]

Definitely have the crank flange addressed right away, that's not good

The oil is normal because the prop is a dead end, there is no flow through it, that why I cycle three times in the hope it helps flush it out some. It may not though.

Oh, why overhaul? Consider an IRAN, reason is an overhaul I believe require the blades to be re-profiled and if not needed that's a lot of metal gone.

IRAN and the shop has the leeway to decide if the need to be re-profiled or not. But ask the shop

[Fly Boomer]

8 hours ago, BigD said:

I’m taking my prop to shop for overhaul.

If you are not already in contact, @Cody Stallings is our resident prop guy.

[BigD]

This is the other side of the crankshaft flange. Some of the corrosion is surface but I’m not sure about this part of the crankshaft.


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[M20F]

Don’t forget to take the rags out when you put it back on. 

[Pinecone]

If it will fit in the bed without touching, a tire to set the hub in seems to be the way to go.

If it will not fit flat in the bed, it would be best to use several tires to raise it up so it is flat with out the blades touching anything.

And I agree, ask for an IRAN, not an overhaul.

[Jsno]

i set mine on a tire and wrapped the blades in moving blankets from harbor freight and tied it down.

[BigD]

Thank you everyone for your help I ended up doing just like most of you said, put it on an old tire inside the bed. It fit perfectly no problems. Wrap the blades with cardboard and the hub with a plastic bag. It’s now sitting in the shop. Hopefully the overhaul is fairly straightforward. I’ll send pictures. Thanks again.


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[UteM20F]

I realize I'm late and my suggestion won't help here, but for the next guy maybe...  Another option is that some prop shops will pick up props from airports on a scheduled run.  Our prop shop, >300 miles distant, picked up our prop at our mechanic's shop and returned it when they were done.

[1964-M20E]

On 6/8/2023 at 7:38 AM, BigD said:

This is the other side of the crankshaft flange. Some of the corrosion is surface but I’m not sure about this part of the crankshaft.


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I had a crank that the shop rejected because of corrosion.   I would clean it up and keep it coated with corrosion X but check with your mechanic