Low Rider FBL Hurricane conversion

[torana74]

With the new X4 FBL bits coming out, thought it might be a possibility of using the lower X4 FBL mainshaft and maybe a X5 FBL on our Hurricane 550's. After looking at few of the exploded view diagrams, it looked like that a few bits were interchangeable.

So ordered both the X4 and X5 conversion kits to see what was possible.
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Will update the text here over the next few days.. For now, lots of pics
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Sorry about the backdrop.My hobby room has been taken over by bathroom reno stuff
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Ok, i ordered the X4 FBL conversion set and the X5 FBL conversion set(doesn't come with blade grips so got some aswell)

The X4 kit comes with FBL mainshaft(shorter then the stock hurri), washout arms(swash lock arms), complete head(grips,grip extensions,headblock etc), 31mm link rods.Ball links and associated bolts etc.

The X5 kit comes with FBL head, longer link rods(50mm iirc), blade grip extensions,washout arms(swash lock arms) FBL mainshaft,ball links and associated bolts.




The instructions for each conversion. X4 on the left, X5 on the right.
The X4 has two holes in the mainshaft.Lower one is the main head bolt.The washout arms are screwed into the upper holes on the headblock(threaded) and protrude into the mainshaft.

The X5 uses the single mainshaft bolt to secure the washout arms aswell as the headblock.



X4 FBL complete head assembly



Headblocks side by side. The holes visible are....on the X4, for securing the washout arms.Threaded hole.There is another hole just under going at 90 for the main haedblock bolt. On the X5, main bolt hole witch also holds the washout arms aswell


Headblock diameter same. The X4 comes stock with black dampers.Softer of the two.


Mainshafts lined up
Left to right.

X4 FBL, Standard Hurricane,X5 FBL, X5 flybarred

[torana74]

X4 FBL and X5 FBL mainshafts. Collar up are the same distance


X4 FBL and X5 FBL grip extensions overlaid. Identical


X4 blade grip. Suits 10mm root.ie 425's


X5 blade grip. 12mm for 500's +


X4 and X5 spindle shafts. 6mm diameter. I forget which one is which Same bolts and spacers used.


Dampers. Same dimensions. Black is the softer of the two. 75 compared to 95 iirc

[torana74]

Washout arms.
X4 ontop is shorter than the X5. The X5 has a very large swash compared to the hurricane



X4 washout arm


X5 washout arm. Substantionally longers


Both the X4 and X5 heads allow the same amount of travel




The X4 head asembly sits about 15mm lower than the X5

[torana74]

Fitted with the X5 FBL head. Sits much much nicer than the higher stock hurricane. About 20mm lower


Boom clearance with the X5 FBL head



Now with the X4 head. Subtract a further 15mm


X4 head , blade/boom clearance

[torana74]

In the end i went with the X4 FBL head purely based on the low look. Both head assemblies will work.

To do the conversion with the X5 head....

Parts needed.

X5 FBL head assembly. Ie. Head block, grips, FBL grip extensions, 50mm link rods, X4 FBL mainshaft. X4 FBL washout arms. 35mmx 3mm bolt(comes with headblock)



X4 conversion.
X4 mainshaft, headblock, X5 main grips, FBL grip extensions,31mm link rods, X4 washout arms, mainshaft bolt(would come with headblock, i think)2 x 3mm x 10mm bolts for washout arms

I would suggest using the red dampers when using 550's on either setup













Now to fit the BeastX and see how we go

[june8781]

That looks awesome. I have been debating cutting my stock headblock down similar to nexgens but do you know if they are the same for the fes as what came standard with the plastic head? If so, my hacksaw is ready.

[nexgen]

sweet. looks like I'll be getting an X4 head block in the near future, thanks for ding this Vas. where did you pick up the X4 bits?

[Jack2010]

Low-rider... looks very cool

I only have one question - pls forgive me as I am noob in FBL world (but I would like to change ot soon ) - shouldn't those rods linking swash with main grip lever be rather in paralel to the main shaft then V-shaped?

[AnTi Taco]

v shape normal

[=\TICxTOC/=]

Sick post vas. And to think I have a microbeast with no current home... Keep us updated!

[Seebodener]

Vas,

+


looks really cool

Pls. correct me if I am wrong, but to build a Low-Rider-550-Hurricane
the X4-FBL-Head equipped with the X5 main grips are all you need ?

I am very interested for your first "in-flight-report" on the Low-Rider, pls. keep us informed

[nexgen]

When I chipped the stock headblock, flips and rolls were much tighter. I'd venture to say it will be similar here as well.

[nexgen]

Originally Posted by june8781

That looks awesome. I have been debating cutting my stock headblock down similar to nexgens but do you know if they are the same for the fes as what came standard with the plastic head? If so, my hacksaw is ready.

Yes the blocks (the metal part) is the same on all the 425/550 heads.

[Mikej]

I have found that there are 2 "stock" heads - one is slightly shinier than the other and is ideal for cutting down as it is the same diameter all of the way up, the other is a bit duller and has a step in the bore that the main shaft slides into that stops it going all of the way in - this is fine for standard height but stops you from dropping it. I think that the shiny one is teh "CNC" one (though I ordered a spare CNC version and got the dull, stepped version

This reminds me that I must finish my low-rider

[torana74]

added text and hopefully explains a bit better.

NG, can do with your FBL X5 head also. X4 FBL mainshaft and washout arms.

Originally Posted by Seebodener

Pls. correct me if I am wrong, but to build a Low-Rider-550-Hurricane
the X4-FBL-Head equipped with the X5 main grips are all you need ?

correct X4 FBL conversion kit(part no in first post) and X5 grips The only thing not used in the kit are
the X4 blade grips


Flight report hopefully on the weekend if all goes well.
I was abit worried about the lowered height. If flybarred, there's no way i'd risk it. But even with a fair bit of force on the tip of the blade, there is still plenty clearance.
The chances of my doing fast backwards inverted and then a hard neg collective flip are very very very very slim

Vas

[june8781]

Planning on getting mine airworthy as soon as I get back home from vacation. I decided I didn't want to deal with the hurri on a plane.

[torana74]

Just abit of an update.

It ROCKS!!!!!

I forgot to add previously, during the beastx setup, i replaced the 2 of the balls on the swash with non-standoff type X5 ones to increase the resolution. The swash balls for the swash to blade grip links. Got the beastx very happily into to the blue zone and increased resolution is always goodly Can use the Hurri ones, just take off the spacer but i'm not sure if the length of the screw will cause it to bottom out inside the swash





Now as for the way it flies. No unusual tendencies. Super precise and very very very smooth. Love it. Was hoping to do a vid yesterday but having an electrical prob. Motor or speedy deciding to cut out just as going inverted Then spooling back up as if softstart kicked in. Will update as soon as that issue sorted


Vas

[torana74]

Also waiting on a set of KBDD X5 neon green dampers that should allow to crank the gain up even more. Low HS and very stiff head had it rocking a little with the swash gain pot turned up around 9 o'oclock. Higher HS was perfect

Yesterdays flight(before issues) brought a grin ear to ear.

Vas

[ScotY]

Nice!

[dunkonu23]

I'm trying the X5 FBL head, X4 swash follower arms, X4 shaft, and X5 grips on one of my HH's. A couple of things.

1. If you don't have an X5 or spares, you will need to order an X5 or X4 spindle.
2. As above, you will also need the grip spacer and M4 bolt to hold grips on the spindle.
3. Red dampers do not come with the X5 FBL kit. You will need to order the damper separately. The X5 FBL kits comes with black dampers.

I have the head on my helicopter and with the original 425/550 microbeast settings, there is no binding and I get full travel in all axis. So far, so good. I'll have the remaining parts in tomorrow and should be able to complete setup this weekend then flight test.

I'm doing this because I can't seem to get phasing right with the standard 425/550 FBL setup. And.. I dislike separate swash drivers intensely.

Scott