I have a crude towbar that bites onto the tailwheel spring, but it still requires a bit of cussing to get the tailwheel pointed in the right direction. What is the collective experience with various towbars that actually lift the tailwheel off of the floor of the hangar for close in maneuvering? I share a hangar with 2 other airplanes and it can get tight positioning each bird. For initial towing into the hangar, we use a riding lawnmower to tow the plane across the grass and over the lip of the hangar floor. Once we disconnect the mower, it gets more complicated.

I made a "tail wheel scoop" from a long handle scoop shovel to move my kitfox on the gravel driveway into my shop. When the wings are folded the tail wheel weighs 175 pounds. I can fold the wings then just scoop up the tail. The tail wheel just sits in the shovel and the scoop will turn 90 degrees under it to push or pull the tail wherever I want it. The wheels are cheap harbout fleight. http://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-pneu ... 69385.html

I use the gas powered taildragger dragger http://dragger.com/tail-dragger-draggers/

I have to work with 2 planes in a tight space, too, and this tug works great. Should work for you all the way from out in the grass, over the lip, and into the tight parking spot, eliminating the need for the lawnmower tug. It has good traction and plenty of power to move my Maule around in the dirt and grass on un-level ground. The cradle that holds the tailwheel is easily adjusted for different size tailwheels. I have had good luck with mine and would recommend it.

I have an electric tow tug made by these folks: http://www.lindbergh.com/aircraft-tug/index.html. While it's for a tricycle gear, it wouldn't take much for them to custom make one for a tail dragger. Mine is the 4K Jr. They modified it a little to fit properly over the wheel pant, and then I did a little modifying myself, chamfering the connection tubes and adding headlights:





Lindbergh was really easy to work with, and this is a quality product. The nice thing about electric vs. gas is that it's very quiet, and superbly easy to control. The slope into my hangar is pretty steep, and it has no problem pushing the airplane in, even fully loaded with camping supplies. There's a drainage channel in front of the doors, which is deep enough that if the mains are in it, I can't get the airplane to move either way by myself; my tug has no problem pulling or pushing the airplane out of the channel.

This particular model doesn't steer very well, so if that's a consideration, the next model up, the 4K, would be better. For my purposes, though, the limited steering capability isn't a big deal at all.

Cary

We have the Power tow, it has different adapters to fit most planes. You can also make your own adapters.
Ron

RWM wrote:I use the gas powered taildragger dragger...I have had good luck with mine and would recommend it.

+1

Not a towbar but this may be of interest to you if you're parking planes in a tight space. My dad has a 32x40ft hangar with a 36ft opening which he keeps his Stinson and Cessna 120 in. The first plane gets pushed back in to the corner of the hangar. Then the second plane gets put on 2 wheel jack dollies and then easily rolls into position with some careful manuevering. This would be VERY hard to do without the dollies. Here is a link to a similiar product so you can see what I'm talking about: http://www.sears.com/otc-1-500-lb-easy- ... 0P?prdNo=1

never get off the seat. it pushes and pulls.

Bogert Groups' Bogi-Bar.

My order for one of these shipped today:

http://www.tailwheeltransporter.com/

I'll let ya know how it works after I test drive it for a bit...

northernguy wrote:My order for one of these shipped today:

http://www.tailwheeltransporter.com/

I'll let ya know how it works after I test drive it for a bit...

Do let us know how this works for you. The web site shows it doing well on "light" taildraggers. I'm curious how you think it might work on heavier taildraggers such as SuperCubs, Huskys, and even Cessna 170s and Maules.

I thought a heavier tail dragger was a DC-3?

Don't laugh, one has landed and taken off out of Flying B Ranch Idaho which officially makes it a backcountry plane in my book.

Barnstormer wrote:I thought a heavier tail dragger was a DC-3?

Don't laugh, one has landed and taken off out of Flying B Ranch Idaho which officially makes it a backcountry plane in my book.

Chuckle. You are indeed right. ...love that DC-3, Gooney Bird, C-47, etc. I spent many hours flying in the C-47 when I was a kid living over seas with my dad in the late '50s. We still have several DC-3 equivalents and even C-46s flying around up here in Alaska and going into the short strips. I've never heard of a pilot that didn't like flying this taildragger.

I'm jealous. Never ridden in one but certainly want it in my log book. There is a CAF squadron nearby that has one, all I need is my Commercial and $3,500 and I can right seat for them. Certainly would be a great experience.

northernguy wrote:My order for one of these shipped today:

http://www.tailwheeltransporter.com/

I'll let ya know how it works after I test drive it for a bit...

I had one of these.....for a minute. Returned it after trying it for a day or two. A Maule must be a "Heavy" taildragger. On concrete/asphalt it may be ok, but on dirt/chat....no workey. It wanted to fall over very easily and was pretty hard to push. Hope you have better luck. If not, they accept returns.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. The jack dollies are a great idea for moving planes around the hangar. I was also impressed with the shovel towbar fired with harbor freight wheels. Given the process of the better towbars, I may give the homebuilt approach a try.

"Jack Dollies" in any "puzzle piece" hangar situation are VERY handy-if not invaluable.
Try it-you'll like it!
(Obviously a very solid flat floor is a necessity with the tiny castors)

Redneck taildragger dragger

My CFI had a tug that he made which would strap to the mains on the C-170 and the he would hook it up to the zero turn and push it into the hanger no problem.

Bogi Bar from Alaska Bushwheel.

MTV