Hartzell Prop Lubrication

[Steve Marcozzi]

What's the correct way to lube the Hartzell prop on the 180?
Mine just has one fitting per blade, and I'll get some Aeroshell #5 that the decal on the prop hub specifies.

I'll be getting the blade clamp AD done this fall; wish me luck......I'm a po boy and will keep the prop if the OH cost isn't too steep and it passes!!!!

Steve Marcozzi

[DAVEG24]

I noticed that no one has replied to your request, so I thought I would. Since you only have one grease fitting on the clamp, the correct procedure is to just put in about three pumps worth in each side. Do not and I repeat, do not continue pumping grease into the hub, even though you think it will take it. What will happen is you will blow out the seal and you will have copious amounts of grease all over your windshield every time you fly. Since you are having the AD complied with this fall, why not see if you can get another clamp half that has a fitting in it. Then greasing the hub is a snap. You remove one fitting and grease through the other until grease and trapped water come out the open side. You can't blow out a seal doing it that way. If you are not hangared, it is important that you leave the airplane with the prop blades horizontally positioned. That minimizes the chance that rain water will find it's way into the hub. Remember, the hub is not a sealed system. Water, which is your second worst enemy, will find it's way into the hub and cause rust, which is your worst enemy. If you need some parts for your hub, contact me as I may have some yellow tagged servicable parts that you can use. I'm not sure if I have clamps or not. I'll have to look if your interested.

Dave Gitelman

[Steve Marcozzi]

Dave,

I left that as the last squawk on annual and my IA called and found out same from the prop shop.

They also said to pump the three pumps per side very slowly as to not compromise the seals.

The plane is hangared and has been for a long time so errant water isn't a problem at present, but we'll see what shakes out when they tear it down.

I'll remember the parts that you have if it comes to that on tear down. Bottom line is if the prop is good, I'll let them OH it, if not, I'll probably put a top prop on it to stay with a 2 blade. There is a local shop that was trying to get me to buy his McCauley off a Mooney that only requires eddy current every 200 hrs. I haven't asked about the times on the prop or even looked at it. What do you think about the 2 bl Mac option?

Thanks,

Steve Marcozzi

[DAVEG24]

I wouldn't even consider the two blade Mac. There's a reason the blades have to be inspected every two hundred hours. It's not good. I have the top prop on my 180, and like it very much. I'm sure you will also.

Good luck.

Dave Gitelman