Mooney electric tug

[skyking1]

Can anyone recommend an electric tug they like for an eagle or ovation? Thanks

[Piloto]

I have the Robotow that works very well, even under rain uphill with full tanks. I rigged mine with bigger batteries and wheels. 

 

José

[skyking1]

Thanks !

[Cris]

Plus 1 for robotow. I rigged mine to run on ships power

[Bennett]

I also have a RoboTow. Great unit, and I also added wheels. The standard battery has been working fine for me.

[fantom]

I've been using an Aero-Tow for about 14 years, with never a problem. It's a very strong unit that I recharge about once a month. Finally replaced the battery and tires...under $100.

 

[Jeff_S]

I use a PowerTow for my J.  There is about a 3% gradient up into my hangar and it handles it with no problem.  http://www.powertow.com

[Seth]

I have an OLD powertow with no variable clutch.  It's forward, back, or neutral - you pick it off the ground to slow down the speed and push harder down for better traction.  When it dies, and it is toward the 7th or 8th inning at this point, I'll get something new that's electric.

 

I have been very happy with it as it cost $0.  Not working in the hanger I ended up taking over, and I guess not free as I got the Mooney extension arms from Power Tow, drilled the holes, bolted the arms on, and boom - tug for the Mooney.  I did not use a tug for the F but the Missile when gassed up is much heavier.

 

-Seth

[timpercarpio]

I also use the RoboTow and have been happy with it. I also added wheels and just use the standard battery that came with it. The only problem is in the winter if there's a little snow on the tarmac in front of our hangar. The nose wheel will pick up a little snow and transfer it to the driving cylinder. This causes some slippage and I have to stop and clean off the cylinder. Not a big problem, just a little hassle.

Tim

[Marauder]

So, what are the price ranges for these units (Robotow, Aerotow)? I posted a thread looking for help on a Lug Bug that I horse traded for. I need parts for it and no one seems to know if they are still around and I have googled myself silly trying to find them. Also, how strong is our tail ring? There is a winch at the back of my hangar that I have refrained from using. May not need anything

[brianwsparks]

Robotow works great. Got one off Ebay in new condition for $400 bucks at a steal

[fantom]

Robotow works great. Got one off Ebay in new condition for $400 bucks at a steal

 

You know we have a CB club for guys like you

[tascher]

"I posted a thread looking for help on a Lug Bug that I horse traded for. I need parts for it and no one seems to know if they are still around and I have googled myself silly trying to find them."

I didn't see the earlier lug bug string, so my apologies if it has alrady been covered elsewhere, but the Aero-Tow tugs are the direct decendants of the Gettleman tugs. You can compare the below to your lug bug:

http://www.aero-tow.com/E1800.html

There's a chance that the new Aero-Tows share some underpinnings with the earlier versions. I would try them for lug bug parts support. If all else fails, there's always your local fabricator. I recently picked up a lug bug (you can't actually pick it up - it's over 400 lbs). It is overkill for any flavor M20, but you can do things like quickly walk your plane to the pumps and move your buddy's King Air at will. I can also recommend the old Supertows (pre-turntable), which occasionally show up for sale in the usual places. Again, gross overkill, but it gets the job done...

[Marauder]

"I posted a thread looking for help on a Lug Bug that I horse traded for. I need parts for it and no one seems to know if they are still around and I have googled myself silly trying to find them." I didn't see the earlier lug bug string, so my apologies if it has alrady been covered elsewhere, but the Aero-Tow tugs are the direct decendants of the Gettleman tugs. You can compare the below to your lug bug: http://www.aero-tow.com/E1800.html There's a chance that the new Aero-Tows share some underpinnings with the earlier versions. I would try them for lug bug parts support. If all else fails, there's always your local fabricator. I recently picked up a lug bug (you can't actually pick it up - it's over 400 lbs). It is overkill for any flavor M20, but you can do things like quickly walk your plane to the pumps and move your buddy's King Air at will. I can also recommend the old Supertows (pre-turntable), which occasionally show up for sale in the usual places. Again, gross overkill, but it gets the job done...

Thanks for sharing! I have been searching quite a while for any information. I will give them a call and see what they have. Thanks again!

[tomn]

I have been working on a design for a small light duty tug. It should be fine for regular use on reasonably level ground. It might be a month or two before I can get it done but will post info if I'm happy with it. The idea is for it to be low cost to build and simple to use. We'll see how it goes...

[Rich]

I have a Dragger. It is one that has a 12 V battery. That unit has been discontinued. It moves my Ovation ok, but it feels it. Overall a 24 V Dragger should work very well and is built stoutly.

[Marauder]

I have been working on a design for a small light duty tug. It should be fine for regular use on reasonably level ground. It might be a month or two before I can get it done but will post info if I'm happy with it. The idea is for it to be low cost to build and simple to use. We'll see how it goes...

Well Tom, seeing your work firsthand, sign me up!

[DonMuncy]

Tom,
Have you seen mine. Feel free to steal any ideas if they are any help.
Don

[tomn]

Don, I have not. Which one is it - not very familiar with whats out there. I have been working on this recently mainly for fun.

[tomn]

Don, I saw yours in your gallery - looks good.

[DonMuncy]

Tom,

I have documents for dimensions, materials, etc.  If you are interested, email me at d.muncy@sbcglobal.net or 214 207-6744.

Don

[SkyBound]

I use a Sidewinder with my 231 and am very pleased with it.

[bxg007]

I'm very happy with the sidewinder from redline.  If needed, I could tie it down in the cargo area and haul it with me.  Here is a link:  https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/sidewinder-mooney-airplanes/

 

Great support as well.  Milwaukee had a bad batch of batteries, and redline owner helped me get a new replacement battery.  Works great!

 

I purchased my sidewinder used (but looks new) and saved $500-600...

 

 

[Seth]

I use a Sidewinder with my 231 and am very pleased with it.

+1

 

Alex let me use his new Sidewinder with my Missile and not if but when my powertown 35 dies, I may very well purchase one. 

 

The Sidewinder is not for dragging a plane accross a ramp to the ful pump, it's for simply getting the aircraft in and out of a T Hanger.  For a larger hanger with more than 3-4 aircraft, I would not reccomend it.  For a personal hanger, I think it may be one of the better designs I've seen.

 

-Seth

[Bennett]

Like Jose, I have added wheels to my Robotow, but I am using the battery that came with it.  Still going strong after about two years. I use it to maneuver my 201 in and out of my hangar, and I have never run down the power below 20% of available. LASAR uses their robotow all day long to pull airplanes in and out of their hangars, and they seem very happy with the unit.  In fact, that is why I bought this brand.  Not cheap, but it sure saves my back.  I have an incline from the ramp to my hangar, and even the hangar floor slopes a bit upwards from the front, so I find the Robotow very helpful.  One nice thing about this type of design is that it would be very difficult to exceed nose wheel towing limits, something you cannot say about tractors/lawnmowers converted to tugs.