Long Body Sidewinder Powered Towbar

[885EW]

I have searched through the topics and unable to find a definitive answer. Any 4 blade MT prop (or other manufacturer) long body Mooney drivers use a Sidewinder powered tow bar for their plane? Any issue with the prop blade width or tow clearance?

Edited December 3, 2024 by 885EW

[M20Kid]

I have a Sidewinder for my M20K, but it has a 2-blade prop.  I did find the guy who makes them to be knowledgeable.  Have you checked with him to see if he's had any issues with your particular configuration in the past?

[Ed de C.]

I use the sidewinder but with a 3-blade prop on my O.  In my case the engine always stops with a blade vertical up and the two down to the sides.  There is a lot of clearance between the sidewinder and the two lower blades, since the turning limits are pretty narrow.  I would expect it to work fine with 4 blades, just like a manual tow bar would need to.  If not, you can always move the prop a little.  

[885EW]

On 12/3/2024 at 4:58 PM, M20Kid said:

I have a Sidewinder for my M20K, but it has a 2-blade prop.  I did find the guy who makes them to be knowledgeable.  Have you checked with him to see if he's had any issues with your particular configuration in the past?

Yeah he's great and very helpful. Sounds like it shouldn't be an issue, but as with everything in aviation.....will approach cautiously on first tow. Thanks for the input.

[885EW]

On 12/3/2024 at 5:04 PM, Ed de C. said:

I use the sidewinder but with a 3-blade prop on my O.  In my case the engine always stops with a blade vertical up and the two down to the sides.  There is a lot of clearance between the sidewinder and the two lower blades, since the turning limits are pretty narrow.  I would expect it to work fine with 4 blades, just like a manual tow bar would need to.  If not, you can always move the prop a little.  

Thanks for the input! Appreciate it!

[aviatoreb]

On 12/3/2024 at 2:09 PM, 885EW said:

I have searched through the topics and unable to find a definitive answer. Any 4 blade MT prop (or other manufacturer) long body Mooney drivers use a Sidewinder powered tow bar for their plane? Any issue with the prop blade width or tow clearance?

I dont own a sidewinder but I have watched the guys at weepnomore use a sidewinder easily on my rocket which has an MT 4 blade.

[Tommooney]

I recently bought the sidewinder for trips in my 3 blade O. In my mid 60's it is getting harder to move the plane by myself without, but the old gas tug is too big / heavy to leave the hanger. There is not more interference than other tugs or tow bar. Not an issue.

I also have a heavy gas tug from ID guys 20 years ago. The gas tug has much more power and authority. The sidewinder struggles with traction by comparison.

Good luck!

[Bolter]

Overall, the powered SIdewinder is using the same swing as a manual towbar, and not much wider where it is near the prop.  Use that clearance as an indication of an issue.  Of course you can hold the bar or Sidewinder at a lower point where the span between blades is larger.  

[Pinecone]

FYI, for a travel powered tow bar, the Mooney Mover is lighter.

I use my Sidewinder at my hangar (need it to get over the lip from the asphalt to concrete) and the Mooney Mover stays in the plane.

[FoxMike]

I have an MT 4 blade on my Bravo.  Even using the standard Mooney tow bar you have to be careful not to hit the blades.  You need to keep the tow bar close to horizontal  to have reasonable clearance.  I use a Power Tow tug at the hangar which provides clearance to the propeller.  You are smart to question interference  potential with a sidewinder.  I have never used a sidewinder but it only takes a slight bump on the trailing edge of the prop blade to take a chunk of fiberglass.   

[885EW]

21 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

I dont own a sidewinder but I have watched the guys at weepnomore use a sidewinder easily on my rocket which has an MT 4 blade.

Great intel! I appreciate it. 

[885EW]

21 hours ago, Tommooney said:

I recently bought the sidewinder for trips in my 3 blade O. In my mid 60's it is getting harder to move the plane by myself without, but the old gas tug is too big / heavy to leave the hanger. There is not more interference than other tugs or tow bar. Not an issue.

I also have a heavy gas tug from ID guys 20 years ago. The gas tug has much more power and authority. The sidewinder struggles with traction by comparison.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info! Appreciate it!

[885EW]

21 hours ago, Bolter said:

Overall, the powered SIdewinder is using the same swing as a manual towbar, and not much wider where it is near the prop.  Use that clearance as an indication of an issue.  Of course you can hold the bar or Sidewinder at a lower point where the span between blades is larger.  

Thanks for the intel!

[885EW]

19 hours ago, Pinecone said:

FYI, for a travel powered tow bar, the Mooney Mover is lighter.

I use my Sidewinder at my hangar (need it to get over the lip from the asphalt to concrete) and the Mooney Mover stays in the plane.

I don't believe the Mooney Mover is engineered for a 4 blade just yet. The owner is working on it and hopefully will have something soon.

[885EW]

16 hours ago, FoxMike said:

I have an MT 4 blade on my Bravo.  Even using the standard Mooney tow bar you have to be careful not to hit the blades.  You need to keep the tow bar close to horizontal  to have reasonable clearance.  I use a Power Tow tug at the hangar which provides clearance to the propeller.  You are smart to question interference  potential with a sidewinder.  I have never used a sidewinder but it only takes a slight bump on the trailing edge of the prop blade to take a chunk of fiberglass.   

Thanks for the intel!  I plan to proceed cautiously on first tow with a straightaway and room for gentle turns before maneuvering the aircraft in/out of a tighter hangar. Appreciate the info!