Tugs

[donv]

What are you using to pull your Commander out of the hangar?

I've been hangared in a large group hangar where they had a decent sized Lektro, and I'm getting ready to move to my own hangar.

I just ordered one of these:

http://www.lektro.com/products/ap8360/

It's basically a small, lower spec Lektro. One nice thing is it can be used as a GPU-- well, not for starting, but for running avionics prior to start, etc. They actually can add some batteries to enable it's use for starting, but I don't have anyone to pull the plug, so I didn't see the point.

[ghancock]

Sorry, posted on another thread but will do so here since there is a tug specific thread.  How much did you end up paying for this tug?  I'm also in need of one and wondering if I should try to find a used one or buy new.

thanks,

Glenn

[butchm]

I use a Honda 4 wheel drive quad to tug my 500B. Also used it to tow the 680FP that I previously flew.  It will tow the plane and you have a vehicle to get around the airport.

[ghancock]

I'm almost afraid to ask this question but... :-)

How did you like the 680FP?  I've owned one now for over 4 months but have never actually flown it.  I'm hoping I have a good bird as I fly a ton and have the family with me a good bit.

Thanks,

Glenn

[ghancock]

I'm curious where you read the bad reviews on the little robot tow.  I've seen nothing but cool stuff and no bad reviews.  Do you know someone that has one?

Thanks,

Glenn

[SKYFLYER]

The remote tugs work great as long as your on pavement and within a few degrees of level and it goes without saying fully charged... but not on grass or loose soil.. I have had the towbot which is on wheels and AC track tech on tank treads... both have the 360 degree wheel plate so the nose gear does not turn and you are able to turn the aircraft in it's own radius... which is something I need to do. The AC will work on hard pack dry soil but will tend to drag bottom if lumpy.. and does work some on grass but it cannot be wet... and you will not be gingerly loading either of them in the cargo to take with you as they are in excess of 200 lbs each... All things considered the "bots" work good... I have to confess that I have a Supertow II gas (also 360 wheel plate) for when I forget to charge the Track Tech.

[donv]

I don't remember where I read them-- I just spent a bunch of time with Google, reading the buyer reviews online. Sorry for not having anything more specific.

I'm curious where you read the bad reviews on the little robot tow.  I've seen nothing but cool stuff and no bad reviews.  Do you know someone that has one?

Thanks,

Glenn

[donv]

The Lektro is in the neighborhood of $18k new, but it holds its value. I looked pretty hard for a used one before buying this one, and couldn't find one. There will probably be a bunch of used ones popping up now that I've ordered one...

Sorry, posted on another thread but will do so here since there is a tug specific thread.  How much did you end up paying for this tug?  I'm also in need of one and wondering if I should try to find a used one or buy new.

thanks,

Glenn

[ghancock]

lol, sounds like you have my luck but I'll see if I can capitalize on your purchase. :-)

Glenn

[ghancock]

I've been researching it for a while and thinking I might just give the AC TrackTech a try.  They are much more affordable and look pretty cool.  My only issue is will it be able to cross a piece of angle that my doors roll on.  I'll give them a call and see what they think.  I'll post back if I actually get one to let everyone know what I think about it.

Glenn

[ghancock]

Well, I have not talked to anyone yet but sent a request.  I have about decided this is the one I'm getting and found links for them being capable of pulling across angles and up inclines. 

https://acairtechnology.com/products.aspx?cat=tugs&ModelID=32

Glenn

[SKYFLYER]

Glenn..
I think your looking at the T-1 and it does NOT have the 360 degree rotating nose gear plate... so you will not have the full benefit of it's capabilities.. and restricted to the max turn radius of the commander nose gear.. The T-2 is the one I have and it has the 360 degree wheel plate.. As for your door guides or tracks "angle" in the entry of the hangar unless they are more than two inches above the floor the Track Tech will do just fine.
Also when I was first looking at these I felt the T-1 would be at it's max capability for the commander and it weighs less than 1/3 the weight of the T-2 leaving me to wonder which would be the tug on any incline Positive or negative the T-1 or the Commander... At 200+ lbs the T-2 will not get moved around by the aircraft in a breeze or incline... The T-2 might seem like a bit of over kill but for me it has worked as expected without any issues.
I also explored the Lektro but as i an NOT a fan (too old and lazy) of having to get down and attach a strap to the nose gear and the price at that time was way more than I wanted to spend I got the T-2.

[ghancock]

Thanks for the info, I'll probably take a look at the T2 then.  Does it not hurt the nose wheel to be pushing/pulling it sideways? ie: its pointed to the front but I'm pulling on it towards the side?

Glenn

[SKYFLYER]

I suppose it is more common sense than mechanical... unless you are wheel chocked or a main is sitting in a depression... I am not sure how you could stress the nose gear by pulling or pushing from the side... the mechanical stress from a full pedal turn while taxiing would be considerably greater especially if using left or right main gear breaks.. For me it has not been a problem or shown to be an issue during inspections..

[ghancock]

Yeah, that is my issue though, I'm on a grass field and have a slab at my new hanger but  it's not perfect.  And I'd think a sitting plane on a not perfectly flat surface would place a lot more force trying to get the plane moving than a plane just turning, no matter what the rate.  You're probably right that its strong enough to deal with it either way, but it's the not knowing for sure that worries me.  If you've been keeping up with my stories, I tend to have crazy things happen to me so just asking to be sure.

Thanks,

Glenn