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Aircraft Tug

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mike(at)vision499.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 11:37 am Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Hello all

 

I’m looking at building a 12v battery  operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs I’m looking at. 

 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and I’m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

 

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joemotis(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 12:22 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Hi Mike,Â  I built a tug out of one of the mobility scooters I found on CL for $100.00 bucks. Everything is already their just needs some creativity to make it work on your aircraft. Will look for pics but do not know if I have any. Joe Motis



On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:42 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

Â 

Hello all

Â 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery Â operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

Â 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

Â 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.Â  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

Â 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

Â 

Thanks

Â 

Mike

Â 

Â 



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skywagon185(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:53 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Mike,

...one tip is: you have to gear way down the motor which will increase its final driving torque greatly. So, don't be afraid of smaller size motors. For heavens sake, don't use an auto starter type motor; way too powerful.Â  First engagement would rip your whole tug apart.



On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:32 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

Â 

Hello all

Â 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery Â operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

Â 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

Â 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.Â  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

Â 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

Â 

Thanks

Â 

Mike

Â 

Â 



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ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:21 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Actually, a starter motor can work if       properly geared down; I've got one in my hangar that a friend used       to use to drag his C-170 around. It had a full size wet cell car       battery for power (weight probably helped with traction) and a       chain reduction to the wheels. Sprocket diameters were probably       ~1.5" & ~6", but it's been a while since I really looked at       it. IIRC, it had a simple forward/reverse switch & a       pushbutton to activate it. A 100 yd continuous operation might be       a bit much for a starter motor, but it might notÂ  be working as       hard pulling the a/c on level ground as it is when starting the       engine.

       

       There's a recently created thread on VAF detailing a shop-built       tug using a pair of scooter motors & wheels (purchased as a       set on ebay). Uses an off the shelf SLA battery.

       http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=180676&highlight=tug

       

       FWIW,

       

       Charlie

       

       

       

       On 4/11/2020 5:49 PM, skywagon185guy . wrote:

     

      	  Quote: 	
		                         Mike,

         ...one tip is: you have to gear way down the motor which           will increase its final driving torque greatly. So, don't be           afraid of smaller size motors. For heavens sake, don't use an           auto starter type motor; way too powerful.Â  First engagement           would rip your whole tug apart.

         

       

       

                On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:32           PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:

         

          	  Quote: 	
		                                         

Â                

Hello all               

Â                

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v                   battery Â operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a                   walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800                   lbs.               

Â                

I am looking for advise on what                   size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for                   sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not                   sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at.                

Â                

One thought was to use a car                   starter motor but that is not rated for continuous                   service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100                   yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that                   distance. A friend has also suggested converting an                   alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.Â                    Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that                   seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful                   enough but it will be geared right down.               

Â                

I look forward to hearing your                   thoughts and ideas               

Â                

Thanks               

Â                

Mike               

Â                

Â              

             

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Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:50 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

I actually have a MiniMax that I've got for sale right now.

It's set up for an RV-10/RV-14 but I'm guessing it could

be customized for others.

Tim



On 4/11/20 6:34 PM, Gerry van Dyk wrote:

[quote] If I may suggest, have a look at Minimax Aircraft Tugs for ideas. 

 https://www.minimaxtugs.com/Â  They've got a range of light tugs built 

 around cordless drills.

 

 For the bottom end a commercial worm drive gear box would probably be a 

 good bet.Â  Try searching Ebay forÂ  133ULR20A Browning Raider Worm Gear 

 Reducer.Â  I'd post a link but it's about 7 miles long.Â  That unit is 

 seriously overkill for the purpose, but perhaps there's lighter weight 

 similar units.

 

 this might be another option, but you'd need a separate battery and 

 electrical system.

 https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-12rpm-Speed-Reduction-Worm-Gear-Motor-with-Cable-70kg-cm-High-Torque/163673951726?hash=item261bba4dee:g:QhkAAOSwOFFeAx2z

 

 Just food for thought

 Gerry

 

 ----

hilltopkid

Joined: 10 Jul 2016
Posts: 10
Location: Richmond, VA

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 7:50 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Tim, what do you want for the MiniMax? And where do you live for shipping cost calculation to Dinwiddie County Airport (KPTB), Virginia.



Dee Whittington

804-677-4849 iPhone

[quote] On Apr 11, 2020, at 10:44 PM, Tim Olson <Tim(at)MyRV10.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 I actually have a MiniMax that I've got for sale right now.

 It's set up for an RV-10/RV-14 but I'm guessing it could

 be customized for others.

 Tim

 

 On 4/11/20 6:34 PM, Gerry van Dyk wrote:

> If I may suggest, have a look at Minimax Aircraft Tugs for ideas. https://www.minimaxtugs.com/  They've got a range of light tugs built around cordless drills.

> For the bottom end a commercial worm drive gear box would probably be a good bet.  Try searching Ebay for  133ULR20A Browning Raider Worm Gear Reducer.  I'd post a link but it's about 7 miles long.  That unit is seriously overkill for the purpose, but perhaps there's lighter weight similar units.

> this might be another option, but you'd need a separate battery and electrical system.

> https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-12rpm-Speed-Reduction-Worm-Gear-Motor-with-Cable-70kg-cm-High-Torque/163673951726?hash=item261bba4dee:g:QhkAAOSwOFFeAx2z

> Just food for thought

> Gerry

> ----

_________________
DeWitt (Dee) Whittington
Richmond, VA

john(at)tipton.me.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:14 am Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Thereâ€™s a couple of â€˜walk along tugsâ€™ in our hangar which use rechargeable drills (the DeWalt brand seems â€˜de rigueurâ€™), which just goes to show what is required using the right gearing.



John



Sent from my iPad



     ----x--O--x----

 	  Quote: 	
		  On 12 Apr 2020, at 12:08 am, skywagon185guy . <skywagon185(at)gmail.com> wrote:



ï»¿Mike,

...one tip is: you have to gear way down the motor which will increase its final driving torque greatly. So, don't be afraid of smaller size motors. For heavens sake, don't use an auto starter type motor; way too powerful.  First engagement would rip your whole tug apart.



On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:32 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

 

Hello all

 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery  operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

 



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joemotis(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:01 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Her you go Mike[img]cid:ii_k8xguc380[/img] I could not find another picture but I mounted a trailer hitch ball on to of the frame right behind the batteries and fabricated a tow bar with a hitch connector on it. Works excellent.



On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:42 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

Â 

Hello all

Â 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery Â operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

Â 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

Â 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.Â  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

Â 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

Â 

Thanks

Â 

Mike

Â 

Â 



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mike(at)vision499.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 10:57 am Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Thank you very much, you have convinced me, I was looking forward to building a tug from scratch but it will be a lot cheaper and easier to adapt a mobility scooter 

 

I am looking for a used one to convert, will let you know how it turns out

 

Thanks again

 

Mike

 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com> On Behalf Of Joe Motis

Sent: April 14, 2020 8:37 AM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Aircraft Tug

 

With The lead acid batteries right where the trailer hitch ball was I think never had a traction problem. And that pulling my friends big twin 2 I would just pulling my Cherokee 180 with it and that thing would drag it all over the air Park the benefit to use in one of those old Mobility devices in my opinion was that everything was there it was geared down it was meant to drag around a 300-pound person it had proportional forward and reverse controls and a charger built in



 

On Mon, Apr 13, 2020, 9:36 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

Just a quick question, why did you not keep the seat, would it not improve traction if you had the extra weight?

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com) <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com)> On Behalf Of Joe Motis

Sent: April 12, 2020 12:56 PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)

Subject: Re: Aircraft Tug

 

Her you go Mike

[img]cid:image001.jpg(at)01D611DA.185F74A0[/img]I could not find another picture but I mounted a trailer hitch ball on to of the frame right behind the batteries and fabricated a tow bar with a hitch connector on it. Works excellent.

 

On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:42 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 

Hello all

 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery  operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

 



 



Virus-free. www.avast.com

joemotis(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 12:06 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Certainly my pleasure good luck!



On Tue, Apr 14, 2020, 12:04 PM  <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

Thank you very much, you have convinced me, I was looking forward to building a tug from scratch but it will be a lot cheaper and easier to adapt a mobility scooter 

Â 

I am looking for a used one to convert, will let you know how it turns out

Â 

Thanks again

Â 

Mike

Â 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com) <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com)> On Behalf Of Joe Motis

Sent: April 14, 2020 8:37 AM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)

Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Aircraft Tug

Â 

With The lead acid batteries right where the trailer hitch ball was I think never had a traction problem. And that pulling my friends big twin 2 I would just pulling my Cherokee 180 with it and that thing would drag it all over the air Park the benefit to use in one of those old Mobility devices in my opinion was that everything was there it was geared down it was meant to drag around a 300-pound person it had proportional forward and reverse controls and a charger built in



Â 

On Mon, Apr 13, 2020, 9:36 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

Just a quick question, why did you not keep the seat, would it not improve traction if you had the extra weight?

Â 

Thanks

Â 

Mike

Â 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com) <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com)> On Behalf Of Joe Motis

Sent: April 12, 2020 12:56 PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)

Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Aircraft Tug

Â 

Her you go Mike

I could not find another picture but I mounted a trailer hitch ball on to of the frame right behind the batteries and fabricated a tow bar with a hitch connector on it. Works excellent.

Â 

On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 12:42 PM <mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

Â 

Hello all

Â 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery Â operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

Â 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

Â 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.Â  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

Â 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

Â 

Thanks

Â 

Mike

Â 

Â 



Â 



Virus-free. www.avast.com 

Â

kesleyelectric(at)iowatel
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:35 am Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Attached is a photo of an aircraft tug a friend built from a walk behind snow blower with a failed engine.  The transmission allows speed control going forward plus reverse.

 

Works very well on his RV-6.

 

Tom Barter



From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com> On Behalf Of mike(at)vision499.com

Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2020 2:32 PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Aircraft Tug

 

 

Hello all

 

I’m looking at building a 12v battery  operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs I’m looking at. 

 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and I’m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

 

 



Virus-free. www.avast.com

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billbear

Joined: 26 Oct 2012
Posts: 7
Location: Alasska

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:14 am Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Tom,

What DC motor did he use to replace the gasoline motor?



Bill 	  Quote: 	
		  On Apr 18, 2020, at 07:33, Tom Barter <kesleyelectric(at)iowatelecom.net (kesleyelectric(at)iowatelecom.net)> wrote:

Attached is a photo of an aircraft tug a friend built from a walk behind snow blower with a failed engine.  The transmission allows speed control going forward plus reverse.

 

Works very well on his RV-6.

 

Tom Barter



From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com) <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com)> On Behalf Of mike(at)vision499.com (mike(at)vision499.com)Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2020 2:32 PMTo: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)Subject: Aircraft Tug

 

 

Hello all

 

Iâ€™m looking at building a 12v battery  operated aircraft tug, not a ride on just a walk with. My max aircraft weight will be about 1800 lbs.

 

I am looking for advise on what size motor I will need. There are a few 12v motors for sale on ebay but they are not rated in hp so am not sure of what specs Iâ€™m looking at. 

 

One thought was to use a car starter motor but that is not rated for continuous service but the farthest I will go with the tug is 100 yds and Iâ€™m not sure if it will cope with that distance. A friend has also suggested converting an alternator into a motor, not sure what that entails.  Ebay has scooter motors with a speed controller that seems ideal but not sure if that will be powerful enough but it will be geared right down.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

 

 



Virus-free. www.avast.com

 

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ktup122(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:11 am Post subject: Aircraft Tug

ktup122(at)aol.com

--

billbear

Joined: 26 Oct 2012
Posts: 7
Location: Alasska

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:11 pm Post subject: Aircraft Tug

Thanks, Tom.  Gotta add this one to my â€œto doâ€ list.



Bill Bear



[quote] On Apr 19, 2020, at 05:09, ktup122(at)aol.com wrote:

 

 

 

 

 

 ktup122(at)aol.com

 

 

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