What to use to take the Mooney out of the Hangar

[Houman]

Hi,

 

I was wondering if owners here have a favorite pulling device to move their Mooneys when the engine is shut-down. The airport that I am at, has hangers on the back side and the distance between the row of hanger walls and fence is about 4 feet more than the wing span, so usually the previous owner would pay the linemans at the local flight school 20$, and have them use their 4 wheeler to put the Mooney in the hangar.  

 

But now the 4 wheeler is out of service and pushing this bird several hundered feets on the ground to clear the hangar walls is not easy, it can't be done alone, so I was thinking of buying a used 4 wheeler or something else to pull the airplane out or put it back in.

 

Any suggestions ?

 

Thanks !

[N33GG]

40 EZ Aircraft Tug  ... Single wheel, plenty of power, very reliable, very effective.  I have one and love it.  I have previously had other brands/models that I was not so happy with.

 

Some people make a tug out of an old lawn mower or golf cart.  Can work nice too.

 

The portable device that attaches to something that looks like a drill and is all electric is a favorite of many.

[fantom]

Hanger wench is the best way to go.....

[Marauder]

Hanger wench is the best way to go.....

I prefer the heavier duty version Gary...

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[fantom]

I prefer the heavier duty version Gary...

 

 

Then, my friend, you make the perfect co-pilot.....

[Marauder]

Then, my friend, you make the perfect co-pilot.....

I thought we were talking about hangar wenches. I have a couple of problems with mine. She takes up a bit of space in the hangar and consumes a lot of fuel. But man, can she pull my plane out of the hangar.

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[mcpilot]

Haha.. I remember the "Hangar winch" thread from the old Mooney mail list server.  That was a long time ago..

 

I got a Sidewinder for my plane.  After having shoulder surgery and a bum knee it became impossible to move my plane around any other way.

 

This thing is very well engineered and solidly built... I really like it...

 

https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/

[Oldguy]

+1 for the EZ Tug. Starts on the first pull every time and runs well on 100LL!

[Joe Zuffoletto]

Another vote for the EZ Tug. Mine still works like a champ after 10 years!

[Seth]

I have an old EZ tug that doesn't have a clutch - it's forward, back, or neutral.  It also is on it's last legs and doesn't start every time - got it for free and then drilled/attached the Mooney adaptor.  When it works it's great, when it doesn't start, I use man power.

 

At some point I'll get a Sidewinder/Redline.

 

http://www.redlineaviation.com/

 

Alex who drives a K model purchased a redline sidewinder and I'm inclined to go that way as it works well and he's next to my hanger - I've used it for demo a few times, you can take it with you, and it is very solidly built.

 

A few people as mentioned have made tugs out of golf carts, old lawn tractors for a few hundred dollars with a broken deck, etc.

 

The redline/sidewinder are for short use, for longer pulls, you need the EZ/equivalent or a tug vehicle.

 

There is also the remote control tug thing that is extremely expensive, and quite cool - one of the guys at my airport has one and moves his Cirrus around with it - awesome toy, but I'd go with an EZ or Sidewinder/Redline.

 

-Seth

[carqwik]

Powertow EZ 35 gas is what I use...now 13 years old and still works like a champ.  However, I did have to replace the drive belt which I got at an automotive parts store for like $10 or something.  I don't think they make this model new today....

[rbridges]

Hanger wench is the best way to go.....

 

I don't think I could afford a pot to piss in if my wife saw her working in my hangar.  I definitely couldn't afford a plane.  

[Hank]

I don't think I could afford a pot to piss in if my wife saw her working in my hangar.  I definitely couldn't afford a plane.  

South Florida must have a different set of rules!

[Danb]

Chris you are definitely sick......

[Danb]

Chris do you actually fly with fuel in the right tank?

[orionflt]

I have an EZ-40 that I never use because I. An taxi right up to my hanger and the mooney pushes in easily, but when I had the twin the tug was a must to move it.

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[ArtVandelay]

 

The redline/sidewinder are for short use, for longer pulls, you need the EZ/equivalent or a tug vehicle.

 

There is also the remote control tug thing that is extremely expensive, and quite cool - one of the guys at my airport has one and moves his Cirrus around with it - awesome toy, but I'd go with an EZ or Sidewinder/Redline.

 

Yikes, $1500+ for something to move a airplane just out of the hanger

[fantom]

Yikes, $1500+ for something to move a airplane just out of the hanger

Cheap.....when compared to a hanger wench

[FBCK]

I have an EZ-35, great in the summer, not so good in the winter when there is a little snow or ice to deal with.  The one wheel also has a hard time on a slipery hanger floor as well.  Next go around I will do the ride on mower or something like it.

[rainman]

I've posted this before, and some photos are in my gallery. I just took the cutting deck,off,and old lawn mower and attached trailer hitch balls. Total cost was $100. Works great and still strong after three years.

[Thunder669]

At our field you have to maintain the grass immediately around your hangar, so a friend two hangars down simply bought a riding mower and then custom welded a tow bar for his 172 and that works great. When I get my mooney I plan to buy a used golf cart because I live right across the street from my field so I can use it to get to the hangar and then also to move the plane. Most of the guys at our field land, fuel and then taxi back to there hangars but my buddy lands and taxis to his hangar, hooks up the mower to tow it to fuel pumps and back and to push it in. Save a lot of wear on the starter and engine in his plane and I plan to follow suit

[Jerry 5TJ]

The SuperTowIII will move the Mooney just fine, and as it swivels without moving the nose gear there's no risk to the tubes even with the tug 90 degrees to one side.

Plenty of power to haul the Mooney up any ramp.   

I run it LOP, of course.

[1964-M20E]

At our field you have to maintain the grass immediately around your hangar, so a friend two hangars down simply bought a riding mower and then custom welded a tow bar for his 172 and that works great. When I get my mooney I plan to buy a used golf cart because I live right across the street from my field so I can use it to get to the hangar and then also to move the plane. Most of the guys at our field land, fuel and then taxi back to there hangars but my buddy lands and taxis to his hangar, hooks up the mower to tow it to fuel pumps and back and to push it in. Save a lot of wear on the starter and engine in his plane and I plan to follow suit

When purchasing a riding mower if you are going to be moving the plane long distances you might want to consider a hydrostatic drive. With the straight belt drive I've had some minor issues (belt slipping) but if I were to do it over again I'd get hydrostatic drive.  Now I have a paved apron in front of my hangar and it is not an issue to push it back by hand.

[Ksaunders]

Been using a Robotow.  Best $1,200 I ever spent for something that can be classified as a "tool".  Works very well.  Wet tire, full fuel, incline, whatever.  Robotow is super-easy to use and effective.  It's the size of a "Manly" Weedeater.  Replacement batteries for the unit sold on Ebay are much better than the one it comes with (and less expensive).  Draws hanger crowd spectators whenever I use.  Others are amazed at the power and ease of use.  Special "Extended Shaft" version is required for the Mooney.  "Regular airplane" short shaft version too short for us Mooney drivers.    

 

However, WILL trade immediately for the above mentioned "Hanger Wench"......the one in the black hat (not the one in the thong).  She would appreciate that all Mooney Robotows have an extended shaft.       

[gsxrpilot]

Back on the original topic... I had a 4 wheeler that I purchased specifically for this purpose.  I also made a long tow bar out of galvanized pipe from HomeDepot.  I used the 4 wheeler several times but was never happy with the ability to push the Mooney back into the hanger.  I was always afraid that it was pushing too hard on the nose wheel.  There is a bit of a lip to get up into my hanger.  By hand, I could take a little run at it, but with the 4 wheeler it was too difficult to steer the plane into the hanger.

 

But the unexpected revelation was the long tow bar.  moving the Mooney forward or backward is so much better with an 8 ft tow bar.  Also, the 10 inch pipe that goes through the knuckle on the nose gear is threaded on the end which allows me to spin on a pipe cap.  This ensures the tow bar doesn't slip out.  Using the longer bar has made it so much easier to move the plane by hand that I sold the 4 wheeler.

 

It was simple to make.  I think it's 3/4 inch pipe.  1 - 8 ft piece, 2 - 10 inch, 2 - 90 degree elbows, 1 end cap.