McCAULEY Constant Speed Propellers
One of the most popular systems used on light and medium size
general aviation aircraft.
Currently, two types of constant speed propellers that are
installed on aircraft; threaded series and threadless series
Threaded series used retention nut
Threadless used split retainer ring
Both series McCauley are none feathering and non
counterweighted. Therefore oil pressure is used to increase
propeller’s blade angle, centrifugal force and internal spring to
rotate low pitch
Propeller blades, hub and piston made of aluminum alloy
Cylinder, blade actuating pins, piston rod, and springs made
from chrome or cadmium plated steel
Phenolic material are used to made actuating links
cont
O-rings are installed between piston and cylinder
to prevent leak
Some models use dyed oil permanently sealed in
the hub. If red appear on hub, indicates hub may
have crack. Propeller should be removed for repair
Model designation codes of McCauley constant
speed propellers are longer
McCauley designation code
D2AF 36 CT 18 X/L 90 M-8
D- Indicates dowel location with
respect to centerline through No.1
blade socket, viewing hub from
flange mounting face
2- Indicates number of blades
A- Indicates flange size
A – Special Flange, 4” B.C
D – Modified SAE #2 6.5-inch bolts
F – Special 41/4 B.C
F- Indicates type of propeller – F, full
feathering
36 - Indicates McCauley blade shank size designation
(other models 31,34, etc)
C- Indicates type of propeller-C constant speed or
controllable
The code may found at the hub of propeller
McCauley Governors
Use the same principles as the generic governors
Difference between McCauley and Hamilton
Standard system is McCauley governor produces oil
pressure of approximately 290 psi while Hamilton
produces 180 – 200 psi
Most McCauley governors use a control arm instead
of pulley to adjust speeder spring pressure acting on
flyweights and pilot valve
Safety Feature of McCauley
Governor control lever spring loaded to high RPM
setting. This way if control cable breaks, propeller
blades will automatically go to low pitch allowing
engine to develop maximum power output
All McCauley governors incorporate a high RPM stop
to prevent engine and propeller from over speeding.
In some cases McCauley also have an adjustable low
RPM stop
Both high and low RPM stops can be adjusted by a
set screw on governor head. One turn screw changes
RPM by 17, 20 or 25 RPM
Hamilton Standard Constant Speed Propellers
Oil pressure provides to reduce blade angle, centrifugal forces
act on counterweight to increase blade angle (reverse concept)
Governor in Hamilton Standard constant speed propeller is
divided into three parts; the head, the body and base.
Head contains flyweight & flyweight assembly, while body and
base house the pilot valve and boost pump
Hamilton Designation code is stamped on governor body
E.g. 1A3-B2H
1 – head design
A – body design
3 – Base
B2H indicates modifications
Hartzell Constant Speed Propeller
Widely used in modern general airplanes and share
market with McCauley.
Currently produces two type of constant speed
propellers, Steel hub and Compact model
Steel hub propeller similar to Hamilton Standard, in
that the pitch change mechanism is exposed.
On the Compact propeller change mechanism is
housed inside propeller head
Stamped code on both at propeller hub
Hartzell Designation Code
B HC-82XF-1D
B – Mounting dowel pin location
H – Hartzell controllable pitch
8 – Basic design designation
2 – Number of blades
X – Blade shank size
x double shoulder V needle bearing
z single shoulder W needle bearing
Figure 12-34 (Reference)
Hartzell Steel Hub Propellers
May or may be not counterweight
If counterweight is used, oil pressure is used to decrease blade
angle
Steel hub without counterweight use oil pressure to increase
blade angle
Central component is a steel spider, consists of central hub and
two arms
Two arms provide attachment point for each propeller blade
and house a bearing assembly allow rotation to blade
Secured by two piece steel clamps
Steel cylinder is threaded front of spider and aluminum piston
placed over cylinder
Piston connect to blade clamps on each blade by sliding rod
and fork system
Hartzell Compact Propeller
More modern than steel hub
Compact Propeller has small hub, lighter, more dependable
Propeller hub is forged out if aluminum alloy as two separate
halves
Hartzell constant speed propeller system typically utilize either
a Woodward governor or a modified Hamilton standard.
Woodward usually adjusted to produce approximately 275
psi oil pressure
Please refer the maintenance manual for appropriate
governor system before inspection progress
