Cheapo Tow Bar

[MikeB]

Here's simple tow bar I made for moving the L16 around in my hangar. Basically a tug made to move a boat around. I just took the ball off (although I guess you could leave it on) and fabricated a jig to slide under the tail wheel and lift. I bought the tug from Harbor Freight (ugh) for about $50 on sale.





Works pretty well on a level surface. Pushing uphill is more of a challenge but I usually nose the plane into the hangar anyway.

Mike

[pmanton]

GOOD idea

I've got one of those things kicking around. It will soon be a dual purpose trailer & plane tug.

Paul
N1431A
N83803
2AZ1

[jmurray]

Mike,

Brilliant!!

That looks so easy, I might even be able to do it. Do you have any details as to how you fabricated the jig?.



Regards,

John Murray

[MikeB]

John,
Don't really have any details. It needs to have a pretty sharp angle to work right and not have the handle way down of the floor when you lift. All I used was square tube iron from the local hardware store, estimated the angle, cut and welded it together. I gas welded but a wire feed would probably work better (I don't have a wire feed unit). The lift pegs are just carriage bolts (I think maybe 3/8) with a hole drilled through the tube iron and a nut holding them in place but they could be welded too, except then you can't move them. There could be a couple of different holes to accomodate different size tail wheels. I put plastic tubing over the bolts but probably not necessary. One other thing, it might not be the worst idea to reinforce the angle with a 'gusset'. I didn't but am watching to see if anything bends. So far, so good..........!! Used it today to pull the L16 in tail first and it worked fine. Hope this helps.
Mike

[jmurray]

Thanks Mike. So far I have bought and assembled the trailer dolly. It's a pretty neat device. Once I fabricate the jig...following your intructions, for which I thank you...I will let you know.

I know there are several commercial tow bars out there, but it's more satisfying to do your own...even if I plagerize your idea!!

Thanks again,

John