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New style nosegear shock suspension system for Zenith CH 650 / CH 750
Earlier this year we previewed a new style nosegear shock suspension system for the Zenith CH 650 / CH 750.
Zenith Aircraft developed a new nosegear shock suspension system for the Zenith CH 650 / CH 750 series kit aircraft that uses stacked rubber shock disks (or "donuts") as an optional replacement to the single nosegear bungee shock cord ring (that has been in use since the 1980s). Using these stacked silicon rubber “donut” disks, the new shock suspension system is expected to last longer and to provide increased shock absorption, while also being adjustable to allow for increased or lowered tension (to better accommodate different engine weights on the nosewheel).
Watch the video with an explanation on the new nosegear shock suspension system:
This new nosegear shock suspension system is an optional replacement to the nosegear bungee system. Existing Zenith CH 650 (including the CH601XL-B models) and CH 750 series kits can be updated with the new nosegear shock suspension system.
Cost of the Nosegear Shock Suspension Kit: $381.00
(April 2021 price, subject to change)
Note that the standard shock suspension system kit does not include the nosegear strut (leg). The existing nose gear strut needs to be modified (the welded bungee retaining tube needs to be cut off and the holes can be welded closed). Zenith Aircraft can modify your existing nosegear strut (for $116.00) or you can purchase a new nosegear strut (cost $194.00). Note: For the STOL CH 750 model, be sure to specify Flat or Rounded nosewheel fork if purchasing a new nose gear strut. If you have an earlier Flat (square) nose wheel fork on your STOL CH 750, now would be a good time to update to the rounded nosewheel fork system. Call for details.
Installing the new nosegear shock suspension on the Zenith CH 650:
Detail view of the prototype installation:
Mounting the new shock suspension system:
Introducing the new shock suspension system at the 2018 Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar Days and Fly-In:
Installation of the new nose gear shock suspension on the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer:
Additional details about new nose gear shock suspension system:
- Information sheet: CH 650 / CH 750 Nose Gear Shock Suspension
- Check out John Austin's blog post about installing the new Nose Gea...
- HomebuiltHelp.com video: New Zenith Nose Wheel Bungee Solution
Note: Prices in U.S. Funds. Crating, handling and shipping charges are additional. Availability, prices, equipment and conditions subject to change without prior notice.
Note: The new nose gear shock suspension is currently not available for the STOL CH 701 model.
Comment
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Comment by Andrew on December 5, 2018 at 11:13am
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Iim wondering if i can replace the main gear on my 601 HD with the newer spring type XL gear. Any thoughts?
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Comment by Zenith Aero on November 30, 2018 at 2:19pm
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Sam: Please contact Roger at Zenith about obtaining the materials (rubber donuts and spacers) for retrofitting your CH 801.
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Comment by John Austin on November 30, 2018 at 12:26pm
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I notice that the parts list shows 10 donuts, but the pictures above show 11 donuts installed???
Sharp eye, Jay! My STOL 750 kit came with 10 donuts as depicted in the drawing. I also noticed that one of the 650's installation photos shows an extra aluminum spacer above the last donut and the drawing does not. My kit's assembly instructions called for a spacer above the last donut, but only 10 spacers were included with the 10 donuts. I verified with Roger at Zenith that the drawing is correct - you don't need a spacer between the last donut and the upper stop. In another assembly photo above, it looks like they deleted the extra spacer when they actually installed the assembly. However, I don't know why they used 11 donuts - the 750's suspension is plenty compliant with 10 - maybe they were still testing different numbers of donuts when that photo was taken. The donuts pictured are a different color (gray) than mine (black) ... maybe a different durometer?
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Comment by Jay Herron on November 30, 2018 at 11:41am
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I have a 801 and would like to convert it the donuts too.
I notice that the parts list shows 10 donuts, but the pictures above show 11 donuts installed??? Maybe there is room for more on the 801????
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Comment by Samuel McNair on November 29, 2018 at 9:38pm
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My C 801 also has a 2"OD FLG tube. Probably heavier wall since the EW on my FLG is 404 lbs. That O-360 is heavy. Looks like I will be searching for heavier donuts.
Thanks for the info.
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Sam - My STOL 750's nose gear strut is 2" o.d. and about 214 lbs on the nose wheel. I have a Jabiru 3300, which is a relatively light engine (<180 lbs with all accessories and exhaust). I'm sure the nose wheel weights will be much heavier with a Corvair or Viking, etc.
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I want to get rid of the front bungee on my CH801 REALLY bad and really soon. I know that there may not be a large enough market to justify engineering a retrofit for the CH801. But if you could please point me to the people who make the rubber donuts and spacers I will engineer my own and be glad to share the results. But I can't find rubber donuts of this size anywhere. Every time I land, I grit my teeth hoping that I will not have yet another random bungee failure with no warning signs.
Does anyone know what the OD of the 750 nose gear strut tube is? If not too far off from the 801 nose strut dia. I could possibly increase the donut ID slightly. Or if the dia. difference is too much obtain the same OD tubing as the 750 uses but in a heavier wall thickness to get adequate bending strength. Other than reinforcing the structure to carry the different load path (the easy part to engineer) it might be be a matter of just how many donuts and the proper amount of preload to use to get the proper stroke and spring rate, as long as the design crush strength of the donut is not exceeded.
Also would one of you care share the typical load on the 750 front gear when doing empty weight and balance weight in? That would give me an idea if using the 750 donuts for the 801 is even remotely possible.
Thanks!
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I've got several hours and quite a few take-off's and landings with the new "donut" system. The rudder pedal effort is minimal and smooth - feels like they're on ball bearings and the system is more solid and quiet with a nicely dampened rebound - feels like a hydraulic shock system.
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Yes, we will have the drawings (blueprints) available in our next edition (revision) drawings
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Comment by Damon Brantley on November 28, 2018 at 7:16pm
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Since I am plans building, are updates to the drawings available to fabricate these parts?
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