Best tug for a 3000lb SEP?

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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"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.

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

"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.

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)

"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.

"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

"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.

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)

"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