Belly Pad Aircraft Jacking System – Tailwheel Kit for Cessna 170, 180 & 185

The 4360-4 is purpose-built for conventional-gear Cessna tailwheel aircraft – specifically the 170, 180, and 185 series – where complete main gear leg removal or replacement is required. The curved lift plates are specifically matched to the Cessna taildragger fuselage belly geometry, making it important to verify fitment with your specific aircraft variant before ordering. PJi's aviation specialists can help confirm compatibility if you're unsure whether the 4360-4 is the right configuration for your aircraft.

The 4360-4's defining capability is enabling complete main gear leg removal while the aircraft remains safely supported – a task the flat gear system cannot perform, since it cradles the gear legs and requires them to stay in place during the lift. By contacting the fuselage belly at the structurally reinforced main gear bulkhead area, the 4360-4 frees both gear legs entirely for removal, detailed inspection, or gearbox work. This makes it the essential tool for any Cessna tailwheel maintenance task involving gear leg replacement, flat gearbox casting or round gearbox bushing replacement, or verification of main gear attach bolt torque and gear shim security.

The 4360-4 is required when the maintenance task involves gear leg removal, gearbox inspection, or unrestricted access to the main gear attach hardware – jobs where the gear legs must be completely clear of any lifting contact point. For routine maintenance that doesn't require gear leg extraction – tire changes, brake pad replacement, or wheel bearing service – the Flat Gear Tailwheel System (4360-2) is the faster, simpler choice. If you're unsure which system your maintenance task requires, PJi's aviation specialists can help you select the right configuration.

The 4360-4's curved lift plates are shaped to match the Cessna taildragger fuselage belly profile, distributing the aircraft's weight evenly across the main gear bulkhead area – one of the most structurally robust sections of the airframe, specifically designed to absorb landing loads. Each plate is fitted with 1/4" rubber-bonded pads and nylon-lined inserts that prevent direct metal-to-metal contact at all lifting surfaces, protecting the fuselage skin and paint finish throughout the lift. The manufacturer reports no skin damage incidents on hundreds of lifts when the belly pads are correctly positioned and the contact area is clean and free of debris.

Tailwheel aircraft carry their center of gravity aft of the main gear, which means weight distribution during jacking requires careful attention – without proper support, there is a risk of the aircraft tipping toward the tail as the main gear lifts. The full outrigger configuration on the 4360-4 is specifically designed to provide the lateral stability that conventional-gear airframes demand during belly pad lifting. Maintaining the tailwheel in contact with the floor – or providing appropriate tail support using the 4360-7 Tail Stand add-on – is an important additional precaution throughout any belly pad lift on a taildragger.

When performing gear leg removal, service one leg at a time to maintain multiple points of contact with the floor – the tailwheel, the opposite main wheel, and a secondary support positioned under the wing rib at the strut and tie-down ring location. Once the gear leg has been removed, place a suitable support beneath the exposed axle to provide an additional layer of protection against unexpected movement or equipment failure during the procedure. These three-point contact and secondary support practices are specifically recommended by Aircraft Jacking Solutions and are considered essential safety precautions for any gear leg removal operation.

The T-stand centerline should be aligned with the aircraft fuselage centerline, and the curved belly pads should be centered between the main gear legs, positioned to cover both the forward and aft main gear bulkheads where the airframe is engineered to carry structural loads. Both slide tubes should be extended equally as indicated by the stamped hash marks to ensure even pad contact and a balanced lift. Correct positioning is critical – improper pad placement can concentrate loads at an unintended fuselage location, so confirming alignment before pumping is a required step in every setup.

The built-in hydraulic safety stop should be engaged immediately after the aircraft reaches the desired lift height, with the jack lowered slightly to confirm the stop is fully seated in the ratchet bar before any maintenance begins. Aircraft Jacking Solutions recommends raising the aircraft only as high as the task requires – typically 2" to 3" off the ground – since lower lift heights improve stability and reduce stress on both the aircraft and the jacking system. The aircraft should never be entered while raised, and no one should position themselves beneath the suspended aircraft at any point during the operation.

The 4360-4 carries a rated lifting capacity of 3,800 lbs, which comfortably accommodates all Cessna tailwheel aircraft in its compatibility range. For reference, the maximum gross weight of the Cessna 185 Skywagon – the heaviest aircraft in this family – is approximately 3,350 lbs, well within the system's rated capacity. Operators should always verify their aircraft's gross weight against the rated limit before use and should never exceed the manufacturer's specified capacity.

Aircraft Jacking Solutions provides a lifetime warranty to the original owner on all structural lift components – including the lift pads, slide tubes, outrigger assemblies, and hydraulic jack body. The floor jack may require periodic maintenance such as O-ring replacement, and replacement parts for this type of servicing are also covered under the lifetime warranty to the original owner. This warranty reflects AJS's long-term commitment to the durability and reliability of the system.

Aircraft Jacking Solutions offers both belly pad and flat gear lift pad jacking systems for general aviation aircraft. While each system is designed to provide safe, stable aircraft lifting, the ideal configuration depends on your aircraft and maintenance requirements. For a complete breakdown of how each system works and which one may be right for your operation, read Belly Pads vs. Flat Gear Lift Pads: Choosing the Right GA Jacks on the PJi blog.