News:



  • March 28, 2024, 09:26:17 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: CropHopper  (Read 1717 times)

Offline frank williams

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 823
CropHopper
« on: November 09, 2018, 05:45:42 PM »
I needed a testbed to run a Belko 56.  The motor is the long shaft with the venturi on the wrong side.  I figured this motor would be perfect for an inboard cylinder setup.  I used a Giles ARF wing that was laying around and configured a CropHopper.  " DUSTY" is the character from the Disney movie "Planes". 

Offline Dan Berry

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1054
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2018, 05:49:04 PM »
Mark told me about this plane. Very nicely done!

Offline Brett Buck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 13716
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2018, 05:55:10 PM »
I needed a testbed to run a Belko 56.  The motor is the long shaft with the venturi on the wrong side.  I figured this motor would be perfect for an inboard cylinder setup.  I used a Giles ARF wing that was laying around and configured a CropHopper.  " DUSTY" is the character from the Disney movie "Planes".

  With that aspect ratio, you're *really* going to test the engine!

     Brett

Offline frank williams

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 823
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2018, 05:56:52 PM »
Thanks Dan ...... I got a metal lunchbox off EBAY to match.

Offline frank williams

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 823
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2018, 06:02:03 PM »
  With that aspect ratio, you're *really* going to test the engine!

     Brett

Like I said .... the wing was just laying around ... its a old Giles ARF .... nice airfoil, but ..

Offline Brett Buck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 13716
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2018, 06:07:14 PM »
Like I said .... the wing was just laying around ... its a old Giles ARF .... nice airfoil, but ..

     Ted and I have both been amazed at how his Ruffy (which I have flown extensively, sometimes at his behest (for which he once ended up *paying me to do so*...)) sucks up power compared to other pretty similar airplanes, the only real difference being the slightly lower aspect ratio. There seems to be some sort of cliff the L/D falls off when you get below 5 or so.

     Brett

Offline frank williams

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 823
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2018, 06:14:57 PM »
I agree ... Dee's Oriental (fairly high AR) was one of the easiest planes to "wind fly" ...

Offline Scott Richlen

  • AMA Member
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2084
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2018, 06:14:22 AM »
Wouldn't that engine be ideal for a BigJob?

Offline Randy Cuberly

  • 21 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 3674
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2018, 07:26:02 PM »
The partner to that engine was in a 55 oz Geo XL for several years before the airplane was stolen.  It is a very good running engine with a broad power band, I'm sure Frank will have no problems with that setup.  The combination of the Belko Engine and the Geo XL was an excellent set up and one of the best combinations I've had the pleasure to own and fly!  It runs best on NO NITRO fuel!


Randy Cuberly
Randy Cuberly
Tucson, AZ

Offline Gary Dowler

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1017
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2018, 08:39:12 PM »
That's the darndest engine I've ever seen. Never seen anything like it.

Gary
Profanity is the crutch of the illiterate mind

Offline Bootlegger

  • 22 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2710
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2018, 06:01:41 AM »

   Frank, d you have any up dates on "Dusty", inquiring minds want to know...!!!
8th Air Force Veteran
Gil Causey
AMA# 6964

Offline Scott Richlen

  • AMA Member
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2084
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2018, 06:14:42 AM »
And where do you find Belko engines?

Offline Randy Cuberly

  • 21 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 3674
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2018, 06:59:54 PM »
And where do you find Belko engines?

Belko Engines Come from Serguei (SP) Belko in Ukraine.  I haven't had contact with him for several years and don't know if he is still making engines.

Randy Cuberly
Randy Cuberly
Tucson, AZ

Offline Scott Richlen

  • AMA Member
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2084
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2018, 07:50:26 PM »
Thanks Randy!  It is a cool looking engine.  I always liked the looks of the long-nose Fox 60 too.

Offline frank williams

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 823
Re: CropHopper
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2018, 08:29:37 PM »
I spent some time this afternoon trying to find a site for Belko and wasn't able to find one even though I'm sure I have seen one. 

It turned cold on us here and I haven't been able to get out to run it more.  I ran on some no nitro fuel and it ran fine.  The oil though was all castor.  I'm not certain if maybe I should have had a half / half oil mix.  I may move the engine to a lighter plane for further runs, but the CropHopper is something I've wanted to try.

I've got to thank Randy for gifting me custody of the engine for testing in the inboard cylinder configuration.  A true gentleman.


Advertise Here
Tags:
 


Advertise Here