Backcountry Pilot • Tow vehicles

Tow vehicles

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Tow vehicles

Bought a cub cadet mower sans mowing deck to move my Amphib Skywagon in and out of the hangar. Didn't last long before the transaxle was shot. What are folks using to move their floatplanes around without resorting to a pickup truck or SUV?
PsychedelicWatermelon offline
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Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2022 10:48 am
Location: Virginia Beach
Aircraft: Cessna A185F

Re: Tow vehicles

It must not have been a very old Cub Cadet. The oldest ones are nearly indestructible, back when they were built like little tractors instead of just riding mowers.

I don’t have a float plane, but I have a little diesel yard tractor that would work great to move one.
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BigBen offline
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Re: Tow vehicles

Thanks! Not sure what year it was. It didn't last long, so I'm reluctant to repair the transaxle and throw that cash down a rathole.
PsychedelicWatermelon offline
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Re: Tow vehicles

I use one of these:

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DeltaRomeo offline
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Re: Tow vehicles

Bought this real tug for $400. Look around, they are cheap.
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Ross4289 offline
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Re: Tow vehicles

I have always used my pickup and a trailer dolly for my floatplane. I've just bought a hangar though and I want better visibility and maneuverability as I back the plane into the hangar so I'm switching to a little farm tractor. I farm so they're easy enough for me to find and maintain. I'll hook the dolly's hydraulic lift to the tractor remotes. Basically going to do a little 35hp unit like we all stopped using ages ago as our farms got bigger.
Fraser Farmer offline
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Aircraft: 1977 Cessna 185

Re: Tow vehicles

My apron in front of hanger slopes away from hanger so it’s impossible to push my 172 in by hand especially when it’s ice covered all winter so I use a 2000 lb electric winch with remote to pull it in while I steer it with tow bar. I pull it out with a quad. When I owned a tail wheel I used quad to pull it in
David K offline
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Re: Tow vehicles

I just bought a used Toro Wheel Horse mower sans mowing deck to pull our Husky. Inexpensive and works well...
SmilinJack offline
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