SonexBuilders.net

Has anyone installed Tracy O’Brien gear legs in their B model TD? He says they’re designed for a legacy, but “should” fit a B. Is this a better solution than the standard titanium legs?

I can't answer the question, but I am happy with my standard Ti gear legs.

I have TOB gear legs on my A-model. I can’t say they’re better than stock since these are the only legs I’ve had on it. With 2400+ landings and my fair share of clunkers, they still work and check good visually.

crwallace1 wrote:Has anyone installed Tracy O’Brien gear legs in their B model TD? He says they’re designed for a legacy, but “should” fit a B. Is this a better solution than the standard titanium legs?

I have them on my Super B. They fit.

Steel has a much higher elastic modulus than titanium (nearly twice the value) which means they are much stiffer and so less forgiving of a hard landing. The titanium legs are a good choice for giving you a softer ride, however I know people who are happy with the stiffer steel gear legs.

Peter

Hi Peter, nice to see you around, hope things are good.

The steel legs are tapered and hollow, the titanium legs constant and solid. Care to briefly comment on how this difference affects the comparison?

Cheers, Gordon

Would be interesting to compare weights if anyone has that info.

A new undrilled TOB gear let weighs: 2605 grams
91.92 oz
5.745 lbs
Just happen to have one in the shop.

Titanium would weigh about half of that (~2.2-2.4 lbs each). Failure mode would also be very different; Solid bar would simply bend when it reaches the yield point (plastic deformation). The hollow one will collapse/buckle. The hollow one would also require more careful design so stress concentrators don't have any noteworthy affect. That being said, If the proper steel was used, designed carefully, it would perform equally or better than the solid titanium legs, right up until it reached the yield point.

R.
Doing dumb stuff in Sexy Hexy Since 2009...

rbarber wrote:Titanium would weigh about half of that (~2.2-2.4 lbs each).

Wow, for that weight penalty I don't understand why anyone would consider the TOB gear legs.

Edit: using the numbers above that is a 6.7 lb increase!