DIY gas powered tug

Skip

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Nov 11, 2018
Messages
103
Display Name

Display name:
Monte92
Has anybody ever made their own tug? I just completed my hangar at my private strip. It’s a sloped grassy area to and from the hangar. I like fabricating and building projects. I’m looking into clever designs to build one with all terrain tires until I can get my ramp concreted on day. Thanks all.
 
upload_2021-8-30_11-15-32.jpeg
We just use a lawnmower at my friends hangar on a grass strip. Same problem with the slope but kills two birds with one stone since we often need to mow the runway before we go fly.
 
Yes, I tried riding mower and electric wheel chair. Ended up buying a hand operated tug for better control getting into tight spaces...I can back a trailer, but not a plane.
 
Just put a front mount receiver on a truck. That’s what I did and it worked great.
 
Yes, I tried riding mower and electric wheel chair. Ended up buying a hand operated tug for better control getting into tight spaces...I can back a trailer, but not a plane.
Put the hitch on the front of the mower. Moving a plane with your back to it is an invitation for repair bills. Always face the plane as you move it.
 
Put the hitch on the front of the mower. Moving a plane with your back to it is an invitation for repair bills. Always face the plane as you move it.

I did. I’m just admittedly stupid with 2 pivots. I gave up before damaging a quarter mil investment cuz I was too ingenious and cheap to buy a real tug, lol. I’m good at lots of things, but not everything, and didn’t want to learn the hard way.
 
I did. I’m just admittedly stupid with 2 pivots. I gave up before damaging a quarter mil investment cuz I was too ingenious and cheap to buy a real tug, lol. I’m good at lots of things, but not everything, and didn’t want to learn the hard way.
Roger that. Its definitely a skill that takes time to learn and get comfortable with. I learned on 737's but those are actually easier than moving lighter stuff to be honest.
 
Electric shop cart + trailer ball welded on an arm connected to trailer hitch bolted to black pipe welded to towbar. But I'm also operating off concrete/asphalt.
 
Here’s my diy solution….
 

Attachments

  • E2C025BE-F0B3-4E83-AA7B-221189A60A6D.png
    E2C025BE-F0B3-4E83-AA7B-221189A60A6D.png
    1 MB · Views: 40
  • 582EBD08-481B-42C9-BD86-9BFB8D3123CE.png
    582EBD08-481B-42C9-BD86-9BFB8D3123CE.png
    1.2 MB · Views: 33
  • 09343CF3-4C78-4852-8321-CDD0105A3E42.png
    09343CF3-4C78-4852-8321-CDD0105A3E42.png
    1.2 MB · Views: 34
Back
Top