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Showing results for tags 'tug; electric tug; tow bar;'.
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Bringing my new M20K home for the first time I was surprised by the difference that the extra few hundred pounds makes in moving the airplane compared to my M20C. Also transitioning from a tie-down to a hangar with an incline, I realized that there was no way I could push the plane up into the hangar on my own without another person or a tug. The culprit is also a short tow bar that came with the airplane, that makes it very difficult to turn reaching underneath the three-bladed prop. Now I am on a mission to find a tug and a replacement tow bar. After doing some research I have narrowed it down to a few of these electric tug models. I believe that the electric tug is most maintenance free compared to a gas powered one and always ready as long as it stays plugged in between uses. For the non-portable units, batteries can be replaced easily under $100 and are available locally. In my research I seemed to gravitate towards the two-wheel models, vs. single wheeled Power Tow type design. Do the portable tugs that use a drill really work? What if the tire is wet? I have seen some posts siting that the best part of the deal is the drill since it can be reused, is that the opinion of most? There is obvious value to travel with them, however since these cost just as much as the non-portable ones if I am planning to only use it in the hangar, is it worth it? I would love to hear your feedback, the model that you use, and recommendations/reviews for these tugs and tow bars if you have experience with them: Electric Tugs: Portable Tugs: The popular Robotow: http://www.robotow.com/index.php Sidewinder from Red Line Aviation: https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/sidewinder-mooney-airplanes/ Non-Portable Tugs: The popular Power Tow Line: http://www.powertow.com/POWERTOW-LINE-AIRCRAFT-TUGS_ep_28.html The Aero-Tow E-200: http://www.aero-tow.com/E200.html AeroKART: http://aerokarts.com/index.html PricelessAviation 701 - the advantage of this one is that it has a swivel and does not have to be lifted to turn the airplane, but costs $1,000 more than the three above: http://www.pricelessaviation.com/moving-equipment-tug701.html Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Company - Lindy's AircraftCaddy 4K Jr - Does anyone have this tug? http://www.lindbergh.com/aircraft-tug/airplane-tug.html Any other models/recommendations for tugs that I should consider? Tow Bars: Simple Deluxe Tow Bar from Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/deluxe_towbars2.php Bogert Aviation - Bogi-Bar - Seems to be the most logical alternative to what came with the Mooney: http://bogertaviation.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=3&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=23 Fancy Tow Bar with an optional vehicle attachment from Red Line Aviation. Could be useful should one also tow with a golf cart or tractor: https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/be-3-xl-mooney-airplanes/ Any other models/recommendations for tow bars that I should consider? Thank you in advance. --Alex