Electric tug for the MX7

[Joe Crecente]

I find it extremely hard to move my MX7 even with the manual tow bar that came with it. Anyone know of a relatively inexpensive electric tug that can be attached to the tail wheel and operated safely?

[Victor Gennaro]

No such thing as an inexpensive electric tug. I pull mine in and out with an old riding lawn mower. I attache it to the landing gear with ropes to pull it out and the tail wheel spring to pull it in the hanger. It works very well. I also have used the tail wheel lifter that sporty's sells and that works pretty well. The Maule is a heavy bastard and is not like moving a Cub.

[TomD]

Ahmen to hand pushing Maule. My back and I decided to invest in a used gasoline Powertow. You can get it w/ Scott tailwheel adapters.

http://www.powertow.com/40-EZ-Aircraft-Tug_p_14.html

Works really well and uses gas that I draw when I sump the tanks.

I did not pay anything close to list. Check online for used units.

TD

[Joe Crecente]

I would definitely prefer an electric and have been looking at a DJ Products 4kjr but have been trying to figure a way to hook it to the tail wheel without danger of damage if things should slip. Os the Scott Tail wheel the one with the notch for the tow bar?

[gbarrier]

Yep, the old girls are a little heavy and a dog to push around by hand. The electric ones I've seen are on or off and start with a jolt. At least with a gas model you have some throttle control. If you hav room behind the bird in the hangar a tow bar and a fairly heavy old worn out mower works great but it does take room.

[andy]

I have a gas-powered Taildragger Dragger. It works pretty well but is difficult to wiggle around the tail wheel and you still have to lift it to get the rear caster locked. It also has a tendency to let the tail wheel hop out on an incline unless you strap it in. I've done a lot of research on this subject in the search for the perfect tail wheel tug. So far the best one (on paper and video) that I've found is the SuperTow I at $3,399 made by PowerTow. Pricey but effective! They have more powerful (and more expensive) models like the SuperTow Pro that have improved features.

Their 40EZ seems to work well at a much lower price of $1,899. The only problem with a tug that doesn't have the weight of the airplane pressing down on the wheel is traction on a slippery surface like grass or gravel.

[BamaMaule]

I have a Power Tow 40EZ that I had used with my previous non Maule plane. I had a friend machine some delrin (I think) inserts for the arms that capture the tail wheel axle bolt and nut. It works really well and doesn't scar the tail wheel assembly. The only problem was that I had to change from a Maule tail wheel to a new Alaskan Bushwheel (Scott) tail wheel. I could never figure a good way to use the Power Tow with the Maule tail wheel.

[TomD]

My Tug is an older version of the 40EZ powertow.

You are right, I don't see anyway that it could accommodate a Maule tailwheel. I have a Scott and powertow has what appears to be nylon "cups" that fit over the bolt and nut of the Scott.

The 40EZ takes some learning to use it on a tailwheel plane. I am almost certain it was a tricycle gear design that was adapted to tailwheels.

When you are pulling the plane it is pretty straight forward but while pushing the plane in a turn the tailwheel can break left or right and end up w/ the tug under the horizontal stab. Preventing this is the learning curve.

Traction on grass or slippery surfaces is an issue. Letting some air out of the tire helps and forcing the handles down also helps.

All the above being said, it beats the hell out of another back operation.

TD

[Victor Gennaro]

Another great way to move the plane is always fly with friends.

[stevegodbehere]

Joe, Please check your email. I sent a PM about what I built for my MX-7 235.

Steve

[51598Rob]

Hey Steve, show us all !

[Joe Crecente]

I'm still researching and since I have the Maule tw and not the Scott I am not sure if the Scott has the capability for the side connections like nose wheel airplanes do. It seems I need one that picks the wheel up off the ground which is what I think Steve's design does. I have found several that do that : the Taildragger Dragger which comes in electric and gas and was mentioned earlier. I have seen several which use large power tools to drive a homemade frame that handles the tail wheel and several that with some kind of mods could handle tail wheel like the DJ Products ACC 4Kjr. The DJ Products all use the normal nose wheel attaching procedures so that is why they would have to be modified. I have looked at some trailer tugs which show promise, but again would have to be modified to pick up the tail wheel.

The search continues.

[Akafrank]

I've got the minimax tug, not the boss, and it works pretty well. Picks up the wheel, I have the Maule tail wheel. Ordered the snow tires and it moves the M-5 over soft ground OK. Turning is tough and it takes some getting used to, 50 lbs down force to raise the tail, but tires dig right in and move the aircraft. Battery looks inadequate but works very well. Bought a second battery just in case, really didn't need to.

www.minimaxtugs.com

Ralph
akafrank

[montana maule]

I made my tug from an ATV winch, an old aircraft battery, and extra parts around the shop.

[Joe Crecente]

Looks good but I have the Maule tail wheel and cannot use a pincher type
connection.