Squash wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:
When you use a tug - do you make sure the tailwheel moves back to behind the tail when pushing the plane out of the hangar.

Josh

I have used a PowerTow 40 EZ for about 12 years. I've never had any maintenance problems with it. I purchased a chain for the tire to use in icy conditions. I also have a winch to pull planes into the hangar during very difficult times, usually with snow and ice underneath. I have never seen the electric version in action and I don't think it was available when I purchased my 40 EZ, but I'm sure that would get the job done.

For the PowerTow, the tailwheel must be in the correct anatomical position when pushing the plane out. But if you are using a tug to pull the plane into the hangar, the tailwheel will already be in the correct position, unlike the reverse position it will be in when pushing the plane in by hand.

https://www.powertow.com/40-EZ-Aircraft-Tug_p_14.html


How much bending/twisting of the back is needed to attach the Tug to the tailwheel ? The remote controlled Tug has the advantage of not needing to bend or twist but it costs twice a much. We don't get much snow or ice here in Portland, OR - and if we do I am not flying since I do not have a heated hangar or any way to preheat my engine. I also feel like I might be able to find one of these tugs on sale somewhere - ebay or craigslist. Of course - no reason to go cheap on my spine. I am putting Titanium gear legs on my 180.


Josh

My back is not the greatest either. I have an autoimmune disease that attacks the connective tissue along my spine, so my back is never happy. I also suffer from a thin wallet, so the slick, store-bought tugs were out of reach. With all the electric scooters on the market these days, electric motors, controllers and 48 volt Li-ion battery packs are cheap and plentiful. I posted the design of my home-made electric tug on here before. It has a 1 kW motor (about 1.3 Hp) and that is more than enough to get my Maule in and out of the hangar. If that isn't enough ooomph, there are lots of larger motors and controllers available. My setup uses a motorcycle style throttle and that provides easy control. Here's a link to the old post if anyone is interested.
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/best-towbar-for-a-taildragger-14011?p=346859&hilit=Towbar#p346859

I pulled the trigger on the AC Air TUG Model T1V2. I feel like an old man having to use this thing (I am sort of an old man - definitely getting there). It really works great and is a breeze to use. No hassles at all with the back. You do need to turn the tailwheel facing aft so that you are not reverse sensing on the Tug. There are 3 speeds. The fast speed is really not needed for getting out of the hangar. I use the slow speed to turn the tailwheel and the medium speed to move the airplane and get the tug and mains over the lip of the hangar. This Tug may be expensive but so far is worth it's weight in gold. Takes the worry out of re-injuring my spine following surgery. I tried to post this video but had trouble linking it directly on the BCP.org site - kept getting error messages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6b8663wBJQ


Josh

I don't care what that costs, it's cool and I want one!

I bought the AC couple of years ago for T210 and Husky with 31s. Love it and all I do is charge every other use or so. Now with 182/Airglass I'm rerigging to handle bigger 8.00 NLG. It will be sloppy for Husky TW and tight for 8.00; but, it will work fine.

No bending over and push/pulling heavy loads= better chance of staying away from doctor.
Jack

I have always just hand pushed my 185 amphib in, kinda my personal medical lol

But for the price of those little things, unless you can write it off or something, a slightly modified Craigslist $500 riding mower or golf cart and 15min of welding would be my choice.



I know a guy with one of those fancy RC tank tug things, it’s cool watching it, but for like 8k waaaay too rich for my blood.

NineThreeKilo wrote:I have always just hand pushed my 185 amphib in, kinda my personal medical lol

But for the price of those little things, unless you can write it off or something, a slightly modified Craigslist $500 riding mower or golf cart and 15min of welding would be my choice.



I know a guy with one of those fancy RC tank tug things, it’s cool watching it, but for like 8k waaaay too rich for my blood.

Dies a golf cart have enough umph to push a plane? I've often wondered that.

A1Skinner wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:I have always just hand pushed my 185 amphib in, kinda my personal medical lol

But for the price of those little things, unless you can write it off or something, a slightly modified Craigslist $500 riding mower or golf cart and 15min of welding would be my choice.



I know a guy with one of those fancy RC tank tug things, it’s cool watching it, but for like 8k waaaay too rich for my blood.

Dies a golf cart have enough umph to push a plane? I've often wondered that.

Yup

A clapped-out Craftsman lawn tractor would excel at this.

All depends. Soft ground, grass taxiways, steep ramps, traction conditions, etc.

I’ve tried a power tow. Inadequate traction and too jerky.

Have an old Case hydrostatic tractor. Awkward control lever. Low gear is too low. High gear is too high. Inadequate traction.

I’m on grass. My airplane is 2400 lb. empty on amphibs. There’s a bit of sand and then a 1.25” rubber conveyor floor to bounce onto.

I have a trailer ball mounted just under my front left tow hook on my F150. Almost perfectly in line with the drivers seat. Always starts. 4WD automatic. Power steering. A/c and heater. Heated and A/c seats with massage function. It’s the ultimate, and it’s multipurpose. I can also use it for daily transportation and hauling aviation and non aviation passengers and cargo.

Pinecone wrote:All depends.

Agreed. I push in/out from my hangar onto my grass front yard. As of yet I've not needed more than 1 human power pushing/pulling the cub or wagon in or out. The R182 loaded with fuel though, different story. Even dry the grass was too much for the lawn tractor, spin city. The 30 horse Ferguson on R1 tires had no such trouble even on damp grass or a bit of snow, but it's liable to shred the lawn and is rather bulky in/out of the hangar. Still searching for the ideal solution that even a cheapskate like me would pay for.

A1Skinner wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:I have always just hand pushed my 185 amphib in, kinda my personal medical lol

But for the price of those little things, unless you can write it off or something, a slightly modified Craigslist $500 riding mower or golf cart and 15min of welding would be my choice.



I know a guy with one of those fancy RC tank tug things, it’s cool watching it, but for like 8k waaaay too rich for my blood.

Dies a golf cart have enough umph to push a plane? I've often wondered that.

I’ve seen them move turbo props.

Best tug ever though, 4WD hydrostatic kubota tractor with a pintail hitch on the front and some weights.

Double