I'm about to buy me a tug....

mikea

mikea

Touchdown! Greaser!
Gone West
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Feb 12, 2005
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Lake County, IL
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iWin
OK, guyz, I need a tug real bad. I was sore for the entire day after the last time I pushed the plane back I by my ownself, and besides there may come a time when I can't put it back by myself.

The plane is a Cherokee heavy. A 1968 Piper Cherokee 235 that has wheel pants where there is no snow around. My hangar is a charged hangar that has a concrete pad, level with the concrete taxiway outside and there is no lip on the door opening.

The wheel pant on the nose wheel means I can't use a tug like the Robotow that has the rubber wheel that spins the nose wheel. I need a tug that lights the nose wheel or attaches to the tow bar fitting on the nose strut.

The Minimax that uses a drill is out because of the bad review and it looks like it's so fiddly it'll drive me nuts. Besides I have no power in the ghetto hangar so I'd have to charge the battery at home.

I need a gas engine.

I think my choices are the Nose Dragger Dragger NDG-6 and the Power Tow.

I'm going to pull the trigger on the Nose-Dragger Dragger NDG-6 unless you have better advice.
https://dragger.com/product/nose-dragger-dragger-gas-ndg/

Any tug owners in the area please advise.
 
Can't offer anything about the nose-dragger but I can say that I have a power tow and love it. It starts on the first pull every time. You can throw mo-gas or sumped 100LL in it. It easily pushes my 310 up a slight incline into the hangar and is very maneuverable.

This is what I have and is probably over-kill for you? They may have cheaper options for lighter planes.
http://www.powertow.com/65-EZ-Powertow-Aircraft-Tug_p_21.html

This is the only pic I could find of it in my phone.
IMG_4827.PNG
 
I was looking for a powered tug for my 182 with wheel pants. I've reviewed a lot of options. May be Mickey Mouse but I've finalized upon getting an old riding mower for $100 (rusted or no deck) and using it. My tow/push bar has a handle that is removable and will fit a piece of metal conduit perfectly. All I need to do is fab a bracket to attach the conduit to the front (and optionally the back) of the mower.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
I was looking for a powered tug for my 182 with wheel pants. I've reviewed a lot of options. May be Mickey Mouse but I've finalized upon getting an old riding mower for $100 (rusted or no deck) and using it. My tow/push bar has a handle that is removable and will fit a piece of metal conduit perfectly. All I need to do is fab a bracket to attach the conduit to the front (and optionally the back) of the mower.
Click to expand...
I almost did similar with a powered snow blower until I saw this one for sale used from a guy that has a baron. I got a great deal and didn't have to do any of my fabulous welding. :)

I used to pull a 401 around with a golf cart and those work nicely in that you can also drive around the airport in them.
 
I have the nosedragger. Make sure your model has variable speed, mine does not. My T handle is to short, you have to lean over. This will get fixed with a welded extension.

It moves the plane easy enough and hooks up/ disconnects quickly.
 
We have an old single-speed battery powered nose-dragger. Works well enough.

If you don't have power in the hangar, you'll probably be best off with a power-tow.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
I was looking for a powered tug for my 182 with wheel pants. I've reviewed a lot of options. May be Mickey Mouse but I've finalized upon getting an old riding mower for $100 (rusted or no deck) and using it. My tow/push bar has a handle that is removable and will fit a piece of metal conduit perfectly. All I need to do is fab a bracket to attach the conduit to the front (and optionally the back) of the mower.
Click to expand...

Pretty common from what I've seen at airports. :thumbsup:
 
mikea said:
OK, guyz, I need a tug real bad. I was sore for the entire day after the last time I pushed the plane back I by my ownself, and besides there may come a time when I can't put it back by myself.

The plane is a Cherokee heavy. A 1968 Piper Cherokee 235 that has wheel pants where there is no snow around. My hangar is a charged hangar that has a concrete pad, level with the concrete taxiway outside and there is no lip on the door opening.

The wheel pant on the nose wheel means I can't use a tug like the Robotow that has the rubber wheel that spins the nose wheel. I need a tug that lights the nose wheel or attaches to the tow bar fitting on the nose strut.

The Minimax that uses a drill is out because of the bad review and it looks like it's so fiddly it'll drive me nuts. Besides I have no power in the ghetto hangar so I'd have to charge the battery at home.

I need a gas engine.

I think my choices are the Nose Dragger Dragger NDG-6 and the Power Tow.

I'm going to pull the trigger on the Nose-Dragger Dragger NDG-6 unless you have better advice.
https://dragger.com/product/nose-dragger-dragger-gas-ndg/

Any tug owners in the area please advise.
Click to expand...
My 210 is a handful to get up the slight incline into the hangar and impossible when Icey in the winter. I can get it positioned in front of the hangar ok but then it gets tough. I did not think a small tug would be adequate on the ice and since I did not want to spend a lot of money I mounted a boat winch in the back of the hangar. I hook under the tail and just winch it in when I am alone or when it is slick in front of the hangar. I have an extra rope segment to extend the winches range further from the hangar door when it is icey. Someday I may upgrade to an electric winch but for now I am happy with how it works, spent less than $20.
 
Briar Rabbit said:
My 210 is a handful to get up the slight incline into the hangar and impossible when Icey in the winter. I can get it positioned in front of the hangar ok but then it gets tough. I did not think a small tug would be adequate on the ice and since I did not want to spend a lot of money I mounted a boat winch in the back of the hangar. I hook under the tail and just winch it in when I am alone or when it is slick in front of the hangar. I have an extra rope segment to extend the winches range further from the hangar door when it is icey. Someday I may upgrade to an electric winch but for now I am happy with how it works, spent less than $20.
Click to expand...

I need to pull my 182 out of my hangar. Is is OK to tow on the rear tie down hook?
 
mikea said:
OK, guyz, I need a tug real bad. I was sore for the entire day after the last time I pushed the plane back I by my ownself, and besides there may come a time when I can't put it back by myself.

The plane is a Cherokee heavy. A 1968 Piper Cherokee 235 that has wheel pants where there is no snow around. My hangar is a charged hangar that has a concrete pad, level with the concrete taxiway outside and there is no lip on the door opening.

The wheel pant on the nose wheel means I can't use a tug like the Robotow that has the rubber wheel that spins the nose wheel. I need a tug that lights the nose wheel or attaches to the tow bar fitting on the nose strut.

The Minimax that uses a drill is out because of the bad review and it looks like it's so fiddly it'll drive me nuts. Besides I have no power in the ghetto hangar so I'd have to charge the battery at home.

I need a gas engine.

I think my choices are the Nose Dragger Dragger NDG-6 and the Power Tow.

I'm going to pull the trigger on the Nose-Dragger Dragger NDG-6 unless you have better advice.
https://dragger.com/product/nose-dragger-dragger-gas-ndg/

Any tug owners in the area please advise.
Click to expand...
I have a gas powered Power Tow for sale cheap-$250. Currently it is set up for Cessna. PM if interested.
 
5QK said:
I need to pull my 182 out of my hangar. Is is OK to tow on the rear tie down hook?
Click to expand...
That is where I hook to pull my 210 into the hangar and it weighs more than a 182. I would not think twice about hooking on the rear tie down.
 
Thanks, that helps my decision, alot.
 
Radar Contact said:
Can't offer anything about the nose-dragger but I can say that I have a power tow and love it. It starts on the first pull every time. You can throw mo-gas or sumped 100LL in it. It easily pushes my 310 up a slight incline into the hangar and is very maneuverable.

This is what I have and is probably over-kill for you? They may have cheaper options for lighter planes.
http://www.powertow.com/65-EZ-Powertow-Aircraft-Tug_p_21.html

This is the only pic I could find of it in my phone.
View attachment 58217
Click to expand...

+1 for the Powertow. I have the 40-EZ and it works just fine even with the slight incline going up to my hangar...:yes:
 
Tarheelpilot said:
So I read the title and the first sentence and started laughing. I have a rather dirty mind.


The old lawnmower sounds like a good option.
Click to expand...

Dang, I totally missed that ... Must be getting old...:rofl:
 
5QK said:
I need to pull my 182 out of my hangar. Is is OK to tow on the rear tie down hook?
Click to expand...
We had teh discussion on the Piper group and decided that the tail hook is well connected to the frame so it's OK to pull by it.

I was thinking of putting a 12v power winch in my hangar but with no power available it'd be a pain.
 
mikea said:
We had teh discussion on the Piper group and decided that the tail hook is well connected to the frame so it's OK to pull by it.

I was thinking of putting a 12v power winch in my hangar but with no power available it'd be a pain.
Click to expand...
 
How about a 12v winch and use a battery booster pack. You can recharge it in car or at home.
 
Get a riding mower or a golf cart and weld a pintle hitch to it, cheap and it works great.

Craigslist and like a few hundred bucks
 
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