Re: Best tug for a 3000lb SEP?

[Jim Burns]

Hydrostatic garden tractor.
Jim

"Peter" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> A colleague is looking for a tug, perhaps an electric one, capable of
> towing the aircraft (a TB20) by the first wheel a distance of about 50
> yards.
>
> I say "electric" because petrol engined tugs seems to be a bit
> temperamental, and this is in a very tight hangar and a lot of control
> over the forward/reverse speed is needed.
>
> I can do a web search but would appreciate any suggestions on a good
> quality product with very smooth speed control.
>
>
>
> Peter.
> --
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[John Kunkel]

"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
...
> Hydrostatic garden tractor.
> Jim

I'll second that, a couple of locals use them and they work great, are
readily available and cheap.




>
> "Peter" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi,
>>
>> A colleague is looking for a tug, perhaps an electric one, capable of
>> towing the aircraft (a TB20) by the first wheel a distance of about 50
>> yards.
>>
>> I say "electric" because petrol engined tugs seems to be a bit
>> temperamental, and this is in a very tight hangar and a lot of control
>> over the forward/reverse speed is needed.
>>
>> I can do a web search but would appreciate any suggestions on a good
>> quality product with very smooth speed control.

[Brian Whatcott]

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 11:09:54 -0700, "John Kunkel"
> wrote:

>
>"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
...
>> Hydrostatic garden tractor.
>> Jim
>
>I'll second that, a couple of locals use them and they work great, are
>readily available and cheap.
>
>

Cheap?
Not exactly!

:-)

Brian W

[Matt Barrow]

"Brian Whatcott" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 11:09:54 -0700, "John Kunkel"
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hydrostatic garden tractor.
> >> Jim
> >
> >I'll second that, a couple of locals use them and they work great, are
> >readily available and cheap.
> >
> >
>
> Cheap?
> Not exactly!
>

About eight of us share an old John Deere 11HP lawn tractor (parked in a
shed adjacent to the T-hangers) and it pulls everything from 182's to small
turboprops.

Nice thing is it already has the hitch and the bumper/frame is beefy enough
to handle the bigger loads.

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 16:03:28 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> wrote:

>About eight of us share an old John Deere 11HP lawn tractor (parked in a
>shed adjacent to the T-hangers) and it pulls everything from 182's to small
>turboprops.
>
>Nice thing is it already has the hitch and the bumper/frame is beefy enough
>to handle the bigger loads.
>

We have one, too. And I have no problem "pulling". But I've never got
that knack of "pushing" with it. So I wound up getting a NoseDragger.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

[John Kunkel]

"Brian Whatcott" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 11:09:54 -0700, "John Kunkel"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
...
>>> Hydrostatic garden tractor.
>>> Jim
>>
>>I'll second that, a couple of locals use them and they work great, are
>>readily available and cheap.
>>
>>
>
> Cheap?
> Not exactly!

Think "used", "preowned", etc.

[Matt Barrow]

"Ron Rosenfeld" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 16:03:28 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> > wrote:
>
> >About eight of us share an old John Deere 11HP lawn tractor (parked in a
> >shed adjacent to the T-hangers) and it pulls everything from 182's to
small
> >turboprops.
> >
> >Nice thing is it already has the hitch and the bumper/frame is beefy
enough
> >to handle the bigger loads.
> >
>
> We have one, too. And I have no problem "pulling". But I've never got
> that knack of "pushing" with it. So I wound up getting a NoseDragger.
>
Pushing can be done with the tractor because it has a nice (read strong) two
speed reverse gear (and three forward). I use it to get the bird back into
the hanger as there is about a 2" lip to across on the foundation slab.

The John Deere is about 20 or so years old and in pretty good shape
considering the number of people using it. The biggest plane that it gets
used on is a C90B King Air which it handles with ease.

It was here when I got here but I understand the guy who brought it from his
home bought a new one that would handle a snow thrower. Most the others in
the hanger block chipped in about $50 apiece to compensate him.


Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

[Matt Barrow]

"John Kunkel" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Brian Whatcott" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 11:09:54 -0700, "John Kunkel"
> > > wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>> Hydrostatic garden tractor.
> >>> Jim
> >>
> >>I'll second that, a couple of locals use them and they work great, are
> >>readily available and cheap.
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Cheap?
> > Not exactly!
>
> Think "used", "preowned", etc.

Ours (John Deere lawn/garden tractor) is about 20 years old. Lube and oil
change in the spring and it's good to go.

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Sun, 24 Apr 2005 15:06:51 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> wrote:

>Pushing can be done with the tractor because it has a nice (read strong) two
>speed reverse gear (and three forward). I use it to get the bird back into
>the hanger as there is about a 2" lip to across on the foundation slab.

Our tractor has multiple slow speeds, too. I think there are about ten or
twelve forward and four reverse.

But my problem has to do with the joints at the towbar-tractor and
towbar-a/c. Once I get a little off, I can't seem to (easily) get things
straightened out again. And the Mooney has fairly narrow nosewheel turning
limits (+/-15° if I recall correctly).

I'm sure with practice I could do better. But now with the Nose Dragger
Dragger I don't use the tractor, unless I have to tow long distances (in
which case I pull and don't push).


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

[Matt Barrow]

"Ron Rosenfeld" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 24 Apr 2005 15:06:51 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> > wrote:
>
> >Pushing can be done with the tractor because it has a nice (read strong)
two
> >speed reverse gear (and three forward). I use it to get the bird back
into
> >the hanger as there is about a 2" lip to across on the foundation slab.
>
> Our tractor has multiple slow speeds, too. I think there are about ten or
> twelve forward and four reverse.
>
> But my problem has to do with the joints at the towbar-tractor and
> towbar-a/c. Once I get a little off, I can't seem to (easily) get things
> straightened out again. And the Mooney has fairly narrow nosewheel
turning
> limits (+/-15° if I recall correctly).

I think that's more than the Bonanza.

Hmmm... I always found it was like backing a trailer. If things get out of
whack (as opposed to in whack) just go forward and start over. I try to
avoid counting on the nosewheel being able to make up for my misalignment.

One thing is to avoid trying to cut some sharp angles. Also, having enough
room is helpful; if our taxiway lane was more cramped, I'd probably find it
a lot more traumatic.

Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

[Allen]

"Ron Rosenfeld" > wrote in message
...
> We have one, too. And I have no problem "pulling". But I've never got
> that knack of "pushing" with it. So I wound up getting a NoseDragger.
>
>
> Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

I had a John Deere 318 with hydrostatic drive. Built a frame with hitch on
the front of the tractor, much better for pushing the airplane into the
hangar. Was using it on a P-Baron, had to fill the tires with calcium fluid
to have enough traction to get it up the little incline into the hangar.

Allen

[Matt Barrow]

"Allen" > wrote in message
. ..
> I had a John Deere 318 with hydrostatic drive. Built a frame with hitch
on
> the front of the tractor, much better for pushing the airplane into the
> hangar. Was using it on a P-Baron, had to fill the tires with calcium
fluid
> to have enough traction to get it up the little incline into the hangar.
>
What does the fluid in the tires do?

[Jim Burns]

Provides more weight, sticking the rubber directly to the road, thus
providing more traction. Most large tractor drive tires have fluid (calcium
chloride solution) in them. Weight in the tires does not stress the frame,
axels or transmissions as much as the same weight bolted to the wheels or
frame weights bolted onto the tractor frame. It also helps prevent "wheel
hopping" in loose sandy soil.

Jim Burns

[Matt Barrow]

"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
...
> Provides more weight, sticking the rubber directly to the road, thus
> providing more traction. Most large tractor drive tires have fluid
(calcium
> chloride solution) in them. Weight in the tires does not stress the
frame,
> axels or transmissions as much as the same weight bolted to the wheels or
> frame weights bolted onto the tractor frame. It also helps prevent "wheel
> hopping" in loose sandy soil.
>
Kinda what I figgered!

Thanks!

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 07:14:02 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> wrote:

>Hmmm... I always found it was like backing a trailer. If things get out of
>whack (as opposed to in whack) just go forward and start over.

Well, I don't have any experience backing a trailer. So that's probably
why I spent almost equal times in forward as in reverse :-))

Fortunately, for me, I have another solution , now.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

[Matt Barrow]

"Ron Rosenfeld" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 07:14:02 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> > wrote:
>
> >Hmmm... I always found it was like backing a trailer. If things get out
of
> >whack (as opposed to in whack) just go forward and start over.
>
> Well, I don't have any experience backing a trailer. So that's probably
> why I spent almost equal times in forward as in reverse :-))
>
> Fortunately, for me, I have another solution , now.
>
>

Just remember that the trailer (or whatever) goes in the direction you turn
the steering wheel. :~)


--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 07:35:35 -0700, "Matt Barrow"
> wrote:

>Just remember that the trailer (or whatever) goes in the direction you turn
>the steering wheel. :~)

I do. I still can't get the nack of it. Lots of PIO here :-(


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)