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06-21-2009, 11:08 PM
rwolf | Default Tow bars
The tow bar I'm using slips over the nosegear axel ends which have castellated nuts/cotter keys. This messes up the cotterkeys. Two questions: 1) How are you interfacing your towbar (I seem to recall the factory providing one at one time that had ends that were inserted into the holes in the nosegear structure. Does anyone use this approach?) 2) Are castellated nuts/cotterkeys the recommended way to secure the nosegear onto its axel? Are self locking nuts a no-no here?
06-22-2009, 04:10 PM
Fred Lohr | Default
I went thru three different styles of towbars before i settled on the tow bar i use most. the first one was like yours same problem, plus it would pop off with turning. Next I tried piper style forks that fit into fittings tapped into the side of the wedge shaped aluminum area at the bottom of the tube. It was haard to get on and off. Then i found a big heavy tow bar with a tapered 1 inch cone that fit neatly into the lower most "lightening" hole drilled in the fork. This is about six feet long and has a ball hitch on the other end so I could tow the aircraft to and from the boat ramp with a vehicle or tractor. This was too much weight for just backing the plane out of the hanger or to take with me in the plane. So my latest and best one is a collapsable towbar, with 3/16 or so spring loaded prongs that fit into holes drilled into sides of the nose gear. (again, the wedge shaped solid aluminum piece at the bottom of the tube) This has been the best so far for light pushing and pulling. Never comes loose, it fits in the nose storage area. I bought it from aircraft spruce.
On your other question, I eventually found castellated, self locking nuts to use in this location. When it comes to having your pants fall down, belt and suspenders, eh. I have had every other possible self inflicted mishap with the nose gear and wanted to avoid having the axle fall off. However I do not know of any cases where that has happened.
06-22-2009, 05:31 PM
Mike | Default
I think this what you are talking about as an alternative to clamping onto the nuts......bout 30.5" long and will fit in the front bagage compartment. Tractor is an old $50.00 garden tractor....even came with a plow for the winter time.
06-22-2009, 06:15 PM
Tom Saccio
Check out this web site for tow bars.
Brackettaircraft.com for tow bars. The one that I use is the universal type. It locks in and you can hook it up to a vehicle to tow the plane. It works great
Tom Saccio
rwolf | Default Tow bars
The tow bar I'm using slips over the nosegear axel ends which have castellated nuts/cotter keys. This messes up the cotterkeys. Two questions: 1) How are you interfacing your towbar (I seem to recall the factory providing one at one time that had ends that were inserted into the holes in the nosegear structure. Does anyone use this approach?) 2) Are castellated nuts/cotterkeys the recommended way to secure the nosegear onto its axel? Are self locking nuts a no-no here?
06-22-2009, 04:10 PM
Fred Lohr | Default
I went thru three different styles of towbars before i settled on the tow bar i use most. the first one was like yours same problem, plus it would pop off with turning. Next I tried piper style forks that fit into fittings tapped into the side of the wedge shaped aluminum area at the bottom of the tube. It was haard to get on and off. Then i found a big heavy tow bar with a tapered 1 inch cone that fit neatly into the lower most "lightening" hole drilled in the fork. This is about six feet long and has a ball hitch on the other end so I could tow the aircraft to and from the boat ramp with a vehicle or tractor. This was too much weight for just backing the plane out of the hanger or to take with me in the plane. So my latest and best one is a collapsable towbar, with 3/16 or so spring loaded prongs that fit into holes drilled into sides of the nose gear. (again, the wedge shaped solid aluminum piece at the bottom of the tube) This has been the best so far for light pushing and pulling. Never comes loose, it fits in the nose storage area. I bought it from aircraft spruce.
On your other question, I eventually found castellated, self locking nuts to use in this location. When it comes to having your pants fall down, belt and suspenders, eh. I have had every other possible self inflicted mishap with the nose gear and wanted to avoid having the axle fall off. However I do not know of any cases where that has happened.
06-22-2009, 05:31 PM
Mike | Default
I think this what you are talking about as an alternative to clamping onto the nuts......bout 30.5" long and will fit in the front bagage compartment. Tractor is an old $50.00 garden tractor....even came with a plow for the winter time.
06-22-2009, 06:15 PM
Tom Saccio
Check out this web site for tow bars.
Brackettaircraft.com for tow bars. The one that I use is the universal type. It locks in and you can hook it up to a vehicle to tow the plane. It works great
Tom Saccio
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