For the 3 blade owners how do you remove your cowl?

[Will.iam]

I might become a 3 blade prop owner soon and was just curious what owners do to mitigate scratches to the prop or cowl when removing and replacing said cowl for oil changes and other maintenance stuff.. i heard one owner puts on silicone guards on the lower 2 blades to guard against scratches. Another uses bungee cords and a variable height Stool to assist his solo removal. Obviously 2 people would work but not always available. Then i started thinking what if you extended those 2 blade guards down so that they would serve a double purpose of being a visual and physical limit for a tow bar so that ramp personnel would be made more visually aware just how small our nose gear turning radius really is. 

[Hank]

This is a problem with the modern fiberglass cowls. My C has removable cheeks on both sides, so I've only removed my lower cowl once, with help, and it was quite awkward dodging the lower blades.

Good luck, and be careful. Obviously point one blade straight up and don’t rush. A blanket on the ground helps, too.

[redbaron1982]

My only experience is with a 3-blade M20J; it is not difficult at all. I do it by myself most of the time. 

I don't know how to describe the process, but is not hard. The prop has one blade pointing up. The cowl flexes a bit as I do this process, but that's about it. It doesn't hit any blades or anything.

[BlueSky247]

I'm planning to go with something like this in my hangar. Combine it with some soft slings and you have a lot more options when working alone.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-telescoping-gantry-crane-62510.html

[201Mooniac]

I have the LoPresti Cowl on my M20J and it is difficult by myself but easy with a helper.  Not really much difference between the 2 and 3 blade prop in this regard.

[Marc_B]

Put some painters tape over the lower cowl inlet behind the spinner.  It helps avoid scratching up the cowl and your prop when you remove and replace. 

[Will.iam]

On 10/4/2024 at 10:12 AM, BlueSky247 said:

I'm planning to go with something like this in my hangar. Combine it with some soft slings and you have a lot more options when working alone.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-telescoping-gantry-crane-62510.html

I have an engine hoist i thought about making some sort of sling to attach to but thought the free swinging of the cowl might wind up hitting or damaging more than if i just manually install it.