MT 3 bladed prop

[N5ZX]

Since there is already a thread designiated MT Propeller, I figured I'd add a reply to Jack about his interest in the Composite 3-blade props.

I recently mounted them on the front and rear of my bird and I'm quite pleased.

The biggest difference is decreased vibration....think of it like this: the wop-wop-wop of a two blade huey...you can hear it coming miles away. The high-speed buzz of the OH-6 "Loach" (Hughes 500) which is virtually silent until its on ya. or Harley vs. ninja. its smooth....and its quiet.

In fact, the tips actually whistle ever so slightly at idle.

Much of the smoothness may be due to Owen Bell's dynamic balancing.

Whether its the props and proper balancing, or the stars and the moons...whatever it is....I likes it!!!!

Bug juice wipes away increadibly easily (be careful what cleaner you use).

And be SURE you clean the rear prop after EVERY flight. The rear prop os only a few inches from the blistering hot exhaust from the rear engine. No problem...the heat doesnt seem to be bothering it (only 15 hrs so far). HOWEVER, the exhaust carbons get baked onto the prop....turinging a stark white blade....tobacco-tan. Easy enough to clean off if you get it while its freash. But if you wait too long, I have a hunch it will prove increasingly difficult and could theoretically stain the finish permanently.

Take the extra few seconds to use your cleaning cloth to "floss" between the rood of the prop and the base of the spinner. (sorry about the lack of technical lingo....but if you have one, you'll know what I mean).

In all.... I am VERY please.

As with any upgrade ( and I've done A LOT of upgrading) I dont recommend doing it unless the existing quipment is due for replacement or significant repair. But if its time to do "something", I can say that the MT Composite 3-blade is an exceptionally good option.

It wont work miracles. But it will put a smile on your face.

Cole

[hharney]

I have 7 years on my MT's to date. Still love them and would do it again. I will be leaving for Deland, Florida in about a week to visit the US MT Prop facility. There my props will undergo a complete overhaul for a fresh new start. Estimates for the job are around $7K. Not too bad for both ends.

Like Cole described the benefits of the wood-composite blades are very noticeable in smoother operation and less vibration. This is primary due to the wood blades ability to absorb the common harmonics and vibrations of aircraft engines. Whereas the standard metal blades just can't decrease the waves but in some cases transfer it to the rest on the airframe. This vibration dampening with the MT's has been also noted in component life such as exhaust systems. After having this current aircraft for the last 34 years I just thought that having to repair the rear muffler every other annual was normal maintenance. Since having the MT's the frequency of repairs are more than 1/2 of what they used to be.

When I had the airplane painted last year I painted the rear blades, on the engine side, black. Much easier to maintain and no worry of all the cosmetic finish to maintain. I made a suggestion to MT about this and they were very interested because they had not thought about the position of this unit relative to the exhaust. The other benefit of the MT's is the new spinners. The design is much more pleasing and better materials.

All in all it's a winner. You have to replace both front and rear together so this is where most owners find it difficult because of the large cost factor. You won't be disappointed if you do it.

How about FOD on the rear? Has anyone had damage issues?

[Pat Schmitz]

Actually, it was interesting to re-read this entire thread.... Has anyone heard any updates from Richard on his progress???

It would be nice to know if those were completed or not..

[ozonefly]

If it has be completed.. just let me know because it could lower noise and improve climb rate, what is needed for a good skydiving 337.

[sloutitt]

I purchased a T337G with two MT props and like most aspects but have had to repair the rear blades twice and that is with no un paved strip exposure. Now at strange airports after a little cool down run I shut off the rear and just taxi with the front as I am perinoid about the damage potential.
Sandy Loutitt
N81C, 1973 T337G

[sloutitt]

Opps, forgot to spell check that,
Sandy

[hharney]

The damage issue to the rear can be annoying but it's not a real big deal to repair. I have found that leading with the rear is a must. On take off I lead with the rear and then bring the nose up a little before adding front power. This has all but eliminated any issues with the rear. If I have a long taxi on a hot day I will taxi with the front as primary but as long as you taxi with the rear and don't use the front to blow anything back to the rear you'll be fine. I have had some bad damage on the original rear prop also. So there is no cure for the potential issue, just live with the system. The only time I bring both engines to power at the same time would be taking off on a short field.

The MT props are fantastic

[Learjetter]

For those of us with newer MT props, MT released SB 30 r4 a couple months ago. Applies to a small number of MTV 12 props & blades built or overhauled in 2013-2014 & requires replacing blade lag screws.

Here’s the whole list of MT service bulletins:

https://www.mt-propeller.com/en/entw/serviced.htm


The actual Service Bulletin mentioned above
https://www.mt-propeller.com/pdf/sbs/sb30r4.pdf

[JAG]

Hi all,

Bumping an old thread here...

Just got word my front prop is a 'boat anchor' - too much corrosion to overhaul. I am faced with a decision - do I go with new McCauley's, or new MT's? Price is around the same (maybe a small advantage to MT) - but that is not the issue. I want to make the best choice for reliability, damage tolerance, performance and maintenance costs in the future.

Herb has posted some great feedback on the MT's and I am looking for some more views on propeller choices, and why you may choose one over the other.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff