Moving the Twinkie - cheap elec/gas powered "tow bars"?

[David Pfeffer]

Hey guys,
What is everyone using to move their PA-30s? I'm 31 in good shape and can't move the blasted plane with the tow bar without putting pressure on the nose, which is an obvious no-no. What is everyone using to move their Twins around? The power tows are expensive, as are the electric solutions I've found. Anyone have ideas?

[md11flyer]

David, I use a winch. (no not my mother in law ,) its available from aircraft spruce. It has a built in clutch that releases so you
won't pull the tail skid off if for whatever reason the aircarft is not rolling smoothly (ie dragging/locked brake,chock in the way etc).
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/p ... haw200.php

Gary

[N3322G]

David,

Hmmm. - I used to push the twin around by myself with husband in the plane on the rudders - still do sometimes if it is level but wouldn't have a prayer if pushing over door rails. We use the gas powertow. If you were closer to here there are two used ones at Tina's pilot shop at our airport. Come to think about it, she does a tremendous amount of shipping, you might try calling and seeing if they will ship - I'm not vouching for them as operational, I just happened to notice them the other day when I was in to buy a chart.
https://ssl.perfora.net/www.tinaspilots ... shopscript

[Edward Pencosky]

HERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE.Looks like a good design. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiumKrYx ... re=related

[JIMICS2452]

I have used a Powertow for years. The cheapest trick is a used lawn tractor with a towbar if you have room to park it. Be careful of overturning and breaking the A/C stearing with the lawn tractor.

[IO720]

I use the "Tow Buddy" available through Wag-Aero. It uses a lawn mower battery. Work great, except if there's any snow/ice on the ground.

Rick Mascari
N64400

[David Pfeffer]

Thanks, will check them all out.

Pat- I'll give the shop a call and see if they're even interested in shipping. I guess I should have specified, it's a little up hill from the ramp into my hanger. Not a tremendous slope (probably just a few degrees), but it's enough that I can't push it and steer it well at the same time to fit into my small T-hanger hanger that only has about 2" clearanace on the stabs.

[Charles (David) Miller]

For what it's worth, I do not recommend the riding mower, esp. if you are pushing up an incline. I have several friends try this with their twins and they had trouble getting traction.
Works good for lighter singles though.

[George Kretschmann]

I have an electric power tow I use with 100' extension cord. The wife helps out with the cord while I move the plane. We can still move the plane with a hand held tow bar as well.

[N8632Y]

I bought here:
http://www.powertow.com/40EZFAQ.html
gas, i like gas stuff, same around the house.
steve

[SLIMDREDGER]

I have used the Idaho built gasoline power tow for years. The engine still starts on the first or second pull.

I have a slight uphill grade into my hangar on a grass strip. When the grass is wet the tire slips and the airplane will not climb the hill. I tried the snow tire chain the mfg. sells and found it just dug a hole. The cheap solution is to get some old rubber gravel conveyor belting and spike it into the ground with boat spikes on line with the centerline of the hangar. Belting is not needed under the mains. The wheel of the tug has ample friction on this to handle the airplane easily. I ran enough belting in front of the hangar so I can taxi in front of the hangar and turn 90 degrees to square up with the nose wheel on the belting.

The tows are not cheap, but it seems like there are quite a few used ones around. I know people who have picked them up for less than $500.

Al Powers