Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction ......................1 Bambi System Drawing ..........................2 Dump Valve Operation ..........................3 Control Head Operation ..........................4 Section 2: Deploying the Bambi Bucket ................. 7 Attaching to the Cargo Hook ........................7 Connecting Power ............................. 8 Longlines ..............................
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Section 8: Repairs ........................31 Control Head Repairs ..........................31 Rigging Repairs ............................39 Valve Repair and Replacement ....................... 45 Shell Repairs ............................48 Section 9: Specifications and Parts ..................55 Capacity and Weight Specifications ....................... 55 Parts ................................ 56 Section 10: Drawings ......................72 Section 11: Warranty ......................76...
SEI Industries Ltd. offers complete parts supply and repair services for the Bambi Bucket. For a repair facility in your area, please contact SEI. For maintenance and repair purposes, parts diagrams and descriptions are provided in this manual.
Section 1: Introduction Dump Valve Operation The Bambi Bucket uses a tubular fabric valve to control the flow of water exiting the bucket. The lower end of the tube has a flange which is attached to a circular opening in the bottom of the bucket.
Section 1: Introduction Control Head Operation The control head regulates the operation of the dump valve by raising and lowering the riser cable. The upper end of the riser is attached to the lower end of the tripline assembly. The upper end of the tripline is attached to the spring reel which winds the tripline onto a cable drum.
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Section 1: Introduction When the bucket is filled with water, the pressure pulls down on the valve, riser and tripline until the upper end of the bullet assembly engages the mechanical catch. The mechanical catch is locked in place by the linkage arms. To dump the valve, an electrical signal is sent to the solenoid which pulls up on the linkage arms and unlocks the catch.
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Section 1: Introduction THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Bambi Bucket Service Manual – Models 6072-1821...
Section 2: Deploying the Bucket Section 2: Deploying the Bambi Bucket Attaching to the Cargo Hook The Bambi Bucket is rigged for a lateral cargo hook. Correct attachment is indicated when the name plate on the control head faces forward in flight. This ensures that the ballast on the Bambi will face forward in flight.
Section 2: Deploying the Bucket Connecting Power The Bambi Bucket requires a 24 VDC power source capable of supplying 5 A. There are four types of suggested wiring installations (see Section 10: Drawings): 1. Pilot control: The control is wired into the pilot’s control column through a relay. 2.
Section 2: Deploying the Bucket Checking Tail Rotor Clearance WARNING Using a Bambi Bucket with insufficient tail rotor clearance could result in a tail rotor strike which could result in serious injury or death. When a Bambi Bucket is attached directly to the helicopter cargo hook or attached using a longline less than 50 ft (15 m) in length, it is important to confirm that there is adequate tail rotor clearance.
Section 2: Deploying the Bucket Instant Deployment System (IDS) The instant deployment system uses a hub and spoke mechanism to automatically expand the mouth of the bucket as soon as the weight of the Bambi Bucket is taken up by the suspension cables.
Section 3: Accessories Section 3: Accessories PowerFill Snorkel PowerFill Snorkel is a system which allows partial or complete bucket fills from a range of previously inaccessible water sources as shallow as 18” (0.46 m) including streams, ponds and low profile dip tanks.
Section 3: Accessories Foam Injection Systems Sacksafoam is a foam injection system that uses a pump to dispense a controlled amount of foam concentrate from a reservoir into the water in the bucket. The operation of the Sacksafoam is controlled by the pilot through a control unit, which is mounted in the cockpit.
Section 4: Making Adjustments Section 4: Making Adjustments Adjusting the Dump Valve Udder Udder refers to the amount that the dump valve bulges out below the bucket shell, when the bucket is full. A properly adjusted dump valve will have a maximum of 2" (50 mm) of udder.
Section 4: Making Adjustments To adjust a single string: 1. Simply adjust the tension of the string to equal that of adjacent strings. Repeat the knot shown three times for each purse string. To adjust all the strings: 1. Stand the bucket vertically. 2.
Section 5: Packing and Storage Section 5: Packing and Storage Packing the Bucket 1. Collapse the IDS by pushing the hub into the bucket. 2. Grab the control head and pull the suspension lines taut. Tape the lines together in two bunches. 3.
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Section 5: Packing and Storage 5. Gather the suspension lines into a coil and stow inside the bucket. Place the control head outside of the bucket to prevent the possibility of the lines tangling. 6. Avoid any sharp folds along the base of the shell as this protects the shell from delamination which can occur if the Bambi Bucket is stored for a long period of time.
Section 5: Packing and Storage 9. Take the carrying bag and drape it over the bucket. 10. Roll the bucket over and close the bag. Storing the Bucket Prior to storage, wash the bucket with fresh water and dry completely to prevent the growth of mildew and the corrosion of aluminium and steel parts.
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Section 5: Packing and Storage THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Bambi Bucket Service Manual – Models 6072-1821...
Section 6: Troubleshooting Guide Section 6: Troubleshooting Guide Valve Troubleshooting Leaking Dump Valve 1. Check that the bolts securing the valve and gasket to the shell are equally fastened. There should be approximately 2 threads exposed past each nut. If necessary, butyl rubber sealant can be used to seal stubborn leaks between the shell and the gasket.
Section 6: Troubleshooting Guide 4. Adjust the chain on the tripline so that the valve has approximately 2" (50 mm) of udder hanging below the shell when the bucket is full of water. Too much or too little udder will not allow the valve to seal optimally and may lead to other issues.
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Section 6: Troubleshooting Guide 7. Check that the spring link is resting on the body of the stop bolt and not on the head of the bolt, with the control head sitting vertically. 8. Check for rifling in the trip block and deformation on the top of the bullet.
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Section 6: Troubleshooting Guide Tripline Jams on Returning 1. Pull the tripline completely out. Check that the swaged sleeves at the end of the tripline are not fouling the cast guide lugs on the head and cover. 2. Round the end of the swage sleeves with a file. 3.
Section 7: Repair Assessment Guide Section 7: Repair Assessment Guide Overview of Repair Categories This section is intended to provide the user with information that will allow for the quick repair assessment evaluation of the Bambi Bucket. The repair assessment process is almost identical for all sizes of the Bambi Buckets, with some exceptions for minor bucket design variations between the models.
Section 7: Repair Assessment Guide Control Head Repair Criteria Category 1: Safety Cease operations and repair immediately. • Any visible crack or break on the base plate. • Visibly bent shackles or suspension line bolts. • Missing, broken or loose valve release mechanism parts. •...
Section 7: Repair Assessment Guide Cables Repair Criteria Category 1: Safety Cease operations and repair immediately. • One or more broken suspension cables or end fittings. • Broken deployment cable. Category 2: Operational Repair before next day’s operation or eight hours flight time. If three or more individual suspension cables or the deployment cable have the following defects: •...
Section 7: Repair Assessment Guide IDS Repair Criteria Category 1: Safety Cease operations and repair immediately. • Cracks or breaks across the major section of the IDS hub. • Two or more broken or cracked spoke brackets. • Two or more broken or missing spokes, clevis pins, shell brackets. •...
Section 7: Repair Assessment Guide Bucket Shell Repair Criteria Category 1: Safety Cease operations and repair immediately. • One or more broken top loop knots (M-strap attachment point to the shell). • Gross punctures through shell that cut or severely damage one or more panel strips. •...
Section 8: Repairs Section 8: Repairs Control Head Repairs For proper operation of the control head, avoid the following modifications: • Do not use another type of bearing as a replacement for the ball bearing. • Do not use lock wire as a substitute for the swage blocks on the tripline. •...
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Section 8: Repairs 3. Secure the spring reel to prevent the reel from unwinding. This can be done by clamping a small pair of vice-grips onto the bottom flange of the reel, locking the reel against the solenoid. CAUTION Accidental release of a wound spring reel can result in injury to your hands. Wear gloves and use caution when winding the spring reel or pulling the tripline.
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Section 8: Repairs 6. The photo shows the tripline end being pulled from the reel. If the spring reel tension has been released, the spring reel must be re-wound before the new tripline is installed. To wind the spring reel, complete steps 7 and 8 below, otherwise continue to step 9. Wind the spring reel 24 revolutions total, or until the reel stops, in the direction indicated by the arrow stamped on the cover.
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Section 8: Repairs 10. Once the tripline has passed through the trip block, bend the end of the tripline into a tight spiral using a pair of pliers. 11. Insert the end of the tripline through the large centre hole of the drum. Fish the tripline out through the small hole to the right of the centre hole using a flat screw driver.
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Section 8: Repairs 14. Pull the line up and over the finger and into the slot between the finger and the drum. To assist in this step: • Bend a piece of lock wire into a U shape. • Insert the bent end of the U into the large centre hole of the reel. •...
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Section 8: Repairs 17. While holding the reel securely, release the temporary lock. Allow the cable to wind in gradually. Do not let the reel free-wheel. Use gloves to protect your hands from injury. 18. Release the catch by pushing the solenoid up, then pull the tripline out 3-4 ft and return it to the retracted position.
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Section 8: Repairs 4. Locate the spring reel locking nut on the back of the control head. Remove the locking nut and then the spring reel. Make sure to hold the threaded bolt with an Allen key when removing the nut. 5.
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Section 8: Repairs 3. The spring reel must be turned in the counter- clockwise direction to tension the spring. Disconnect the elastic band on the vinyl coated cable and slowly pull the cable off the reel. Count the revolutions of the reel as you pull out the cable NOTICE The new spring reel is supplied with a vinyl coated cable attached.
Section 8: Repairs Rigging Repairs Suspension Line Replacement A suspension line should be replaced whenever it displays noticeable kinking or fraying. Factory replacement lines come pre-swaged with connection links to make replacing quick and easy. To remove the connecting link between the suspension line and the M-strap, follow these procedures: 1.
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Section 8: Repairs M-Strap Replacement Replace M-straps if they become noticeably worn. M-straps may be repaired, if frayed, by melting the fray with a lighter to stop the fray from spreading. The length of the M-strap is critical to the Bambi Bucket functioning correctly.
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Section 8: Repairs 4. Holding the pliers tight, turn your hand clockwise. Repeat the operation until the knot is loose enough to remove the strap. 5. Complete step ‘a’ or ‘b’ depending on whether the strap is short or long. a.
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Section 8: Repairs 7. Twist the strap loop eye 180°. 8. Rotate the eye to the opposite side. 9. Pull strap end through the eye. 10. Pull strap tight. Bambi Bucket Service Manual – Models 6072-1821...
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Section 8: Repairs 11. The M strap set should now look like this. suspension line attaches to the top of each M-strap set. IDS Replacement Shell Bracket Spoke The IDS can be replaced either as a complete kit or as individual pieces, as required. See Section 9: Specifications and Parts for detailed parts drawings.
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Section 8: Repairs 8. Once the IDS is fully installed, test for fit. You should be able to pull the hub past the midpoint position with a slight effort. If the IDS is either too loose or too tight, it will require adjustment.
Section 8: Repairs Valve Repair and Replacement Dump Valve Replacement Replacement dump valve assemblies come complete with new purse strings, bolts, nuts, washers and gasket. To replace a valve: 1. Remove the old valve, gasket and all butyl tape. 2. Stand the bucket up with the valve hole on the bottom.
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Section 8: Repairs Purse String Replacement The purse string set has eight strings, two that have green markings and six that have black markings. The green marked strings are placed at each end of the valve opening. The order of strings is GBBBBBBBBG.
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Section 8: Repairs 4. Take the free end of the string with the green mark and loop it through the metal ring. Centre the mark on the metal ring. Green and black tie marks 5. Tie the purse string to the metal ring at the mark with a round turn and three half hitches.
Section 8: Repairs Shell Repairs Please read these instructions carefully and follow them exactly to obtain a good repair. Failure to follow these instructions or poor repair workmanship can lead to failed repairs and/or more damage to the bucket. Temporary Repairs with Sealing Clamps Repair clamps are used for an immediate repair to prevent the loss of liquid through large rips or holes.
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Section 8: Repairs 4. Place the top of the clamp over the bolt, then install and tighten the wing nut. NOTICE Leaving the clamp’s string on makes it easier to remove the repair clamp when placing a permanent patch on the bucket. NOTICE Tightening the nut with tools may break the bolt away from the lower clamp.
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Section 8: Repairs NOTICE Try a test repair before attempting to repair the bucket. This will verify your technique without risking damage to the bucket. It is much harder to fix a repair once a failed attempt has been made as the hardened glue is difficult to remove.
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Section 8: Repairs 2. Scrub the damaged area with an abrasive pad dampened with solvent (isopropyl rubbing alcohol is recommended). Scrub vigorously to remove the cured surface. The area should be clean and dry with a dull matte finish. 3. Wipe with a rag, dampened with solvent, to remove any residue from cleaning. Check to see if the area is totally clean and all coated surfaces and edges are dull.
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Aquaseal® urethane adhesive is designed for use on fabrics like the Bambi Bucket shell. The shelf life of this adhesive is about one year. Fresh adhesive can be obtained directly from SEI Industries Ltd. Bambi Bucket Service Manual – Models 6072-1821...
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Section 8: Repairs Hot Air Gun Patching Hot air gun patching is the preferred method because it provides the most durable, permanent repair possible. Tools and materials required: • Patches • Plastic hand-held roller • Hot air gun with wide surface nozzle •...
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Otherwise, the repair is finished. Shell Repair Kits Repair kits contain some of the tools needed to perform repairs on Bambi Bucket shells. Urethane adhesive is not included in this kit. Urethane adhesive can be purchased separately from SEI Industries Ltd. Kit Contents: •...
Section 9: Specifications and Parts Section 9: Specifications and Parts Capacity and Weight Specifications Capacities and weights are accurate to within 5%. Specifications are subject to change. CAUTION The selection of a Bambi Bucket model for a specific aircraft is dependent on many factors including aircraft weight, fuel weight, operation elevation and atmospheric conditions.
Section 11: Warranty Section 11: Warranty SEI Industries Ltd. (the company) agrees to grant a warranty for a period of one year from the date of purchase of Bambi Bucket systems on the following conditions: a) The company’s sole obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, at the company’s sole discretion, any product shown to be defective.
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