What do you move your mooney with? Powertow

[MATTS875]

I am looking for a more economical way of getting My Mooney into the hanger.I really like the powertow but seem to be pricey.I had seen a couple of pictures of a riding mower with a tow bar attatched to them, then I read about this could damage the front landing gear.For the price of the powertows I might have to just start working out.Thanks for any input.

[bnicolette]

I've been using a riding mower for months now with no issues and it works great.  Just be smooth with it and don't turn the nose gear beyond it's limits or even close for that matter.  When I come back from flying I have the airplane in such a way that all I really have to do is push it straight back.

I was in to the whole setup for under $400 plus the kids love playing with the mower while I'm tinkering with the airplane.

We also get snow here which is another reason for the tractor as opposed to just a wheel tug.

[dcrogers11]

I too have been kicking around tug options.  My future plans are to build a home with a hanger in the airport community that I live and I have a gas powered golf cart that would then be there with the plane, but have not tried moving the plane with it.  My other thought was to go the converted mower option like you guys have mentioned.  Has anyone used a golf cart?

[Piloto]

I found the Robotow to be a good option. Always ready and easy to use. Unlike others you do not have to lift it for making turns. Even though it only weights about 20 pounds I added wheels to it to make my life easier. The best I have seen for the job.

José

 

[clh]

I second the mower. Bought one for $100 added a hitch on front and back. works like a charm.

[MATTS875]

Brett, where did you get the tow bar? I looked at aircraft spruce and not sure which one you have.I think your setup is ideal and would work fine for me.I can get the plane to whereas all I have to do is go straight back.

[bnicolette]

Hey Matt,

I got my towbar from Aircraft Spruce:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/universaltowbar1.php

For the tractor I posted a wanted ad on Craigslist and said no deck required.  Later that day I got a call from a guy that kept having troubles with his tractor breaking belts and just wanted rid of it.  Win/win    Cheap tractors are definitely out there and I am really happy with the setup.  With whatever you end up towing it with though, even by hand, just pay close attention to those turn limits posted on the nose gear and you'll have no issues.

Happy hunting.

B~

For some reason this picture didn't load on the earlier post.  This tractor is also small enough that I can drive it right behind the wing so I don't have to move it to pull the plane out which I do by hand.

[David Mazer]

One can definitely damage the nose gear with a tug.  Someone did it to mine and it needed to be replaced.  If you are just going into a T hangar you can use a winch.  I bolted a winch to the floor in the back of the hangar, hoocked it to the tail tiedown, and it basically pulls it right into place.  I could always pull the plane out but had trouble pushing it in.  I had to switch to a tug I bought second hand because I need to jockey the plane in at an angle now and the winch didn't do that well.  The winch was about $350 new if I remember correctly and it came with a 100 ft cord for the controller.  It worked great for the right circumstances.  Mine is available but it is heavy and shipping probably isn't worth it.

[DonMuncy]

I have probably bored everyone with the tow I designed and built. Glad to share plans, photos, etc. PM me.

Don

[DaV8or]

I know that my tug doesn't jive with the spirit or intent of this thread; ie: budget power tow options, but I thought I'd post anyways and say that it works awesome! I love it.

[GeorgePerry]

I had the same dilema about 3 years ago.  I just couldn't stomach spending $1400 on what's essentually lawnmower parts.  So I kept looking at craigs list for a power tow with a bad motor (but good frame, tire and transmission).  Usually the motor goes bad way before any of the other parts will.  It didn't take long and I found an 40EZ power tow that was "not running".  I bought it sight unseen for $100.  Then I ordered a 4.5 hp honda engine from http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com and the Mooney adaptor kit from power tow.  Put the new engine and Mooney adaptor kit on and tug has been running strong ever since...and at a cost of only $345 and some elbow grease.  

I've since sold my plane but kept the power tow for the next one...

Good luck...

[MATTS875]

Thanks for the help . This opens up several possibilities that I can use.thanks again

[stevesm20b]

I just push or pull my airplane by hand. Very economical and simple.

[MooneyMitch]

Along the lines of George Perry, I found an older Power Tow with the electric motor.   I bought it for a couple of hundred and a new gasoline motor and converted it.  Elbow grease and some paint and..............yippee!!

[aerobat95]

I use the robotow.....bought it from Sportys.  Very happy with it.  I think you can get replacement battries for much cheaper if you go with Milwaukee M28 battery.  Looks to be essentially the same and cost about 100 less.  My robotow has no problem on level ground full fuel moving the airplane in and out of the hangar.  When I was up in Wichita it did struggle a bit on the incline and getting over ther hangar door rails but overall it works as advertised. 

[jetdriven]

I use the Armstrong towbar method.  Mooneys are easy to push. an A36 is not.

[Jeff_S]

I'm lucky in that the guy whose hangar I inherited had an electric PowerTow that I could use. I did have to spend the $100 or so to get the Mooney-specific extension bars and attach points, but it's been worth it. Even though the incline to my hangar is slight, it was still a big challenge to push that thing in manually. The PowerTow makes it simple.

[David Mazer]

It depends on the Mooney.  An F is 1,000# less than a Rocket.  It makes a big difference.

[DaV8or]

Quote: jetdriven

I use the Armstrong towbar method.  Mooneys are easy to push. an A36 is not.

[danb35]

Quote: Mazerbase

It depends on the Mooney.  An F is 1,000# less than a Rocket.  It makes a big difference.

[David Mazer]

Well, it feels like a 1,000#.

[Piloto]

Quote: DaV8or

If you have a bad, surgically corrected back like me, anything over a C-150 kind of sucks.

[Bennett]

Couldn't be more pleased with the Robotow - especially since I added the wheels as suggested by Piloto.  I have an incline to my hangar, and then a set of door tracks to cross, and it works great.  I remove the battery after every use, and keep it in the charger.  Easy to slip on and off, and so far, I have never run out of power.  I don't have a straight shot at the hangar, so there is a fair amount of maneuvering involved, and little wingtip clearance. Expensive, but my back says Thank You every time I use it. 

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: jetdriven

I use the Armstrong towbar method.  Mooneys are easy to push. an A36 is not.

[DonMuncy]

This may be a little off topic, but may be of some use to some of you if you are faced with having to move your plane slightly uphill with no help.                                                                                                                                                               I discovered that if you have a couple of 2x4 blocks, you can put one in front of each main. Then adjust your tow bar to angle the plane one direction. Go out to the end of the other wing and shove it backwards a few feet. Walk you way down the wing toward the wheel, keeping pressure to keep it from rolling toward you. Kick the block back to chock the wheel.                                      Readjust the tow bar to angle the other direction. Go to the other wing tip and repeat.                                                       Pushing on the end of the wing gives you a lot more leverage than you can put pushing on the prop.                                       This yawing is slow and not fun at all, but it saved me from having to go look for someone to help on a few occasions. It will also encourage you to buy or build a power tow.

Don