corn_flake Posted September 11 Report Posted September 11 I’m tinkering with a project to build a tow bar so I can hook my Mooney up to a golf cart. Took a quick measurement of my manual tow bar and the round piece that slides through the nose gear measures about 1-1/16" OD. Problem is, I called around the local steel yards and that size doesn’t seem to be very common. Has anyone here gone down this road before? What size stock or tubing did you use that worked out? Always appreciate learning from others who’ve already solved it!
Hank Posted September 11 Report Posted September 11 Find a piece of 1" ID pipe and measure it. Cast iron or steel should work.
Paul Thomas Posted September 11 Report Posted September 11 2 hours ago, corn_flake said: I’m tinkering with a project to build a tow bar so I can hook my Mooney up to a golf cart. Took a quick measurement of my manual tow bar and the round piece that slides through the nose gear measures about 1-1/16" OD. Problem is, I called around the local steel yards and that size doesn’t seem to be very common. Has anyone here gone down this road before? What size stock or tubing did you use that worked out? Always appreciate learning from others who’ve already solved it! The tolerance on this is not that important, as long as it fits and is strong enough. I'd drill the other side for a pin. Maybe I'm overly protective of the gear but I don't like vehicles as a tug. I'd think I'd want to front mount on the golf cart so that I can easily keep my eyes on things and moved slowly. 1
corn_flake Posted September 12 Author Report Posted September 12 6 hours ago, Paul Thomas said: Maybe I'm overly protective of the gear but I don't like vehicles as a tug. I'd think I'd want to front mount on the golf cart so that I can easily keep my eyes on things and moved slowly. I’ve been thinking about doing something similar—adding a hitch to both the front and back of my golf cart. A few times each year (about a dozen total), I need to tow my airplane across the airport for display, which is roughly 2 miles one way. Pulling it with a rear hitch makes sense for that distance since I can’t imagine “pushing” the plane backward for 2 miles straight. That said, I can definitely see the advantage of having a front hitch as well, especially for those short, precise moves when pushing the airplane into the hangar.
Pinecone Posted September 12 Report Posted September 12 For a Mooney, I would seriously consider a turn table setup. Where the tow device lifts the nose wheel off the ground onto a turntable so that nose gear stays straight. 1
corn_flake Posted September 12 Author Report Posted September 12 How do you lock the nose gear straight while towing?
MikeOH Posted September 12 Report Posted September 12 12 hours ago, corn_flake said: I’ve been thinking about doing something similar—adding a hitch to both the front and back of my golf cart. A few times each year (about a dozen total), I need to tow my airplane across the airport for display, which is roughly 2 miles one way. Pulling it with a rear hitch makes sense for that distance since I can’t imagine “pushing” the plane backward for 2 miles straight. That said, I can definitely see the advantage of having a front hitch as well, especially for those short, precise moves when pushing the airplane into the hangar. Curious why just taxiing doesn't make sense for 2 miles!?
corn_flake Posted September 12 Author Report Posted September 12 Taxing for 2 mile or require two people for every move. One person to drivedrive to airplane the other one to drive to golf cart. I would prefer not to walk 2 miles back after I drop off the airplane. secondary reason, I also don’t like to start the engine for only a few minutes and not running it up to operating temperature to introduce moisture to Oil 1
MikeOH Posted September 12 Report Posted September 12 47 minutes ago, corn_flake said: Taxing for 2 mile or require two people for every move. One person to drivedrive to airplane the other one to drive to golf cart. I would prefer not to walk 2 miles back after I drop off the airplane. secondary reason, I also don’t like to start the engine for only a few minutes and not running it up to operating temperature to introduce moisture to Oil Ah, makes sense. My wife and I walk about 5 miles most days, so I never considered the walk back from the plane as an issue. As far as the short term running of the engine, I've never much worried about that as long as I'm regularly flying anyway. I'm curious what the A&P's here think about that philosophy?
EricJ Posted September 12 Report Posted September 12 1 hour ago, MikeOH said: Ah, makes sense. My wife and I walk about 5 miles most days, so I never considered the walk back from the plane as an issue. As far as the short term running of the engine, I've never much worried about that as long as I'm regularly flying anyway. I'm curious what the A&P's here think about that philosophy? The next time the engine comes up to full temp it'll drive any moisture out of the oil. If it's going to be run at temp soon, it's probably not an issue. If it's going to sit a long time, maybe. Just sitting can introduce water into the oil from condensation on the case, anyway. 1
corn_flake Posted September 12 Author Report Posted September 12 3 hours ago, MikeOH said: Curious why just taxiing doesn't make sense for 2 miles!? Are you trying to tell me something Mike?! . I get enough of that from my doctor.... On a serious note, I try to get the two-mile aircraft move done as quickly as possible since I usually do it during business hours and need to get back to work right away. 1 1
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