Powered Tow Bar

[rblauson]

Suggestions on the best electric powered tow bars that work well for a M201J? 

Differences between them and cost?

Thanks and happy holidays,

Mark 

[Guest]

Mark,

Check out Redline Aviation sidewinder tow bars.

Clarence

[Bob_Belville]

I have this one and like it a lot. (I like it even better since I found mine local, used, and I paid a lot less that a new one costs.)

http://dragger.com/24-volt-electric-nose-dragger/

[Mark89114]

I second the sidewinder tow bar.  Not super powerful but portable and if you go somewhere where you need to move the plane you can.

[rblauson]

Anyone know how the sidewinder compares to the robotow? Both are portable, electric and priced similarly ?

Merry Christmas all,

mark 

[Seth]

Redline Sidewinder - my friend who has a Mooney in the hanger next door has one!

I have a powertow EZ 35.  The EZ 40 is better than my EZ 35 from 20 years ago, but the Redline Sidewinder beats both of them!

 

-Seth

Edited December 26, 2015 by Seth

[LANCECASPER]

I haven't tried the Sidewinder but have heard great things. I have a Robotow and am very satisfied.

 

Whatever you do, don't even think about a Minimax:

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/14330-wtb-tug/#comment-192949

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/4734-minimax-tug/?page=1

[carusoam]

I have the redline tow bar.  It is nicely engineered and built. Connects easily to my lawn tractor.  Their customer service is Top-Notch.  It is strong and easy to use.

I had some reservations regarding how well it may behave. A couple of emails back and forth. I bought it.

When the time comes for me to buy their electric drill version, it will be a check of the strength of the drive to push my fully loaded  O uphill into the hangar.  I don't expect a challenge there.  The CB gene keeps me from placing the order...

Best regards,

-a-

[rblauson]

Any ideas where I might find either one used? 

[rblauson]

And does anyone have any experience with the electric robotow?

[Yetti]

I have a engine driven robotow that was gifted to me.  The engine did not work so $90.00 for a Harbor Freight engine replacement and it was good to go.   There is pretty good uphill into the hanger and it took 3 people to make it by hand.

A powered electric chair with some mods would make a pretty good plane mover

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pr1mo-24v-motors-with-3-00-4-wheels-pair-left-and-right-EV-Power-Chair-Jazzy-/161757955218?hash=item25a9868492:g:mZQAAOSw~gRVnXur

[Piloto]

I am very happy with my Robotow. I added wheels to drag it instead of carrying it. It will tow my full fuel M20J over the hangar door tracks with out any problems. Because of the direct drive to the nose wheel there is no need to lift it for turning 

José

[rblauson]

Hi Jose

if you don't mind me asking what you paid for yours? And have you had any issues with the battery?. How does it work in cold weather or wet weather when your nose wheel tire might be wet? And how does the unit actually connect to your plane? My tube port where my handheld tow bar fits into seems a little worn. Do you think that would effect a robotow from connecting to my J model properly?

thanks much for the info / help.

 

Mark 

[rblauson]

That wheel contraption looks good! 

Can you also explain how that works and where you got the wheels? Is the robotow heavy and a pain to connect to the airplane without the wheels?

again thanks for your info

mark 

[carusoam]

If tow-bar hole wear issues are a concern..... 

Red line has an expanding device to lock into the hole with a finger tight adjustment...

https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/sidewinder-mooney-airplanes/

It probably costs less to get an OH'd nose structure,

-a-

[Piloto]

4 hours ago, rblauson said:

Hi Jose

if you don't mind me asking what you paid for yours? And have you had any issues with the battery?. How does it work in cold weather or wet weather when your nose wheel tire might be wet? And how does the unit actually connect to your plane? My tube port where my handheld tow bar fits into seems a little worn. Do you think that would effect a robotow from connecting to my J model properly?

thanks much for the info / help.

 

Mark 

I think I paid about $1,200 3 years ago. The battery got weaker after two years and I replaced it with two 12V small AGM batteries from Battery Plus and a Radio Shack 30V charger. The AGM batteries provides more power, cost about $60 for both and last longer.

The wheels are 3" from Home Depot. Just installed with Ty wraps, no tools required. It makes it much easier to just drag it to the plane.

Never had any issues in wet rainy weather, there is no slippage on a wet tire. To enhance the tire coupling you just push down on the handle. The motor control is a variable trigger. It gives you fine small movement better than by hand.

José

 

[aviatoreb]

I hemmed and hawed for several years as to what to get - and just dragged my airplane around by hand with the hand-tow bar.

Finally last summer I got a great deal on a powertow 40 - which I settled on instead of my other first runner-up choice - the robotow - and the reason I went powertow (besides the great deal) was that we do get lots of snow and ice - and you can easily fit it with chains which I got.  Well - what do ja know - no snow or ice yet this winter!  But they promise some tonight.  Maybe I should go to the airport tomorrow and drag my airplane around with the chains on and see how it works.

Edited December 29, 2015 by aviatoreb

[PaulM]

I have the Sidewinder which works fine on dry/wet pavement.   The system was not useful on ice/snow, and I had to get a standard tow-bar (redline) to handle the plane in the winter when the ground is contaminated.   

[carusoam]

It may be worth a call/email to the folks at redline to ask about a rough surface for the drive wheel.  (See the above photo for the Robotow)

Best regards,

-a-

[TWinter]

Another vote on the Sidewinder. Works excellent on my E and only takes a few minutes to get it attached.

[Bennett]

I too have the RoboTow. And I added the wheels as fave others. Just used Lowes wheels and long cable ties. Great unit.

[cnoe]

... and there's always the converted mobility scooter (as seen in a previous thread). Doubles as a Walmart shopping aid as well.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[rblauson]

Thanks for all the input !

greatly appreciated as usual 

mark 

[aviatoreb]

7 hours ago, cnoe said:

... and there's always the converted mobility scooter (as seen in a previous thread). Doubles as a Walmart shopping aid as well.

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I could just see you dragging your airplane through the walmart aisles.  Do you think it will fit?

[PaulM]

The sidewinder has an similar patterned knurled surface to the RoboTow

The problems were:

#1 That the wheel is driven, and on ice the wheel itself will have limited traction when pulling over obstacles (like the lip-seal of the hangar), it will just spin. 

#2 that the wheel picks up snow and then transfers this to the drive roller, given some slippage + friction heat the snow will melt and re-freeze on the drive roller removing all traction that that point.  

My Hangar might be different in having a 1" lip (water barrier) that you need to drive the front and then main wheels over.  with the north facing door the first 6' or so is icy/snowy since it doesn't get direct sun in the winter.   You can get the front wheel out.  and then when it needs traction to pull the mains over the lip you are on the ice zone.