Homebuilt Tailwheel Tug — Plans? Equip List?

[StuBob]

There are several threads here, extending back for years, in which people show photos (or dead PhotoBucket links) of their DIY electric tugs. Replies always devolve into “get a [golf cart, lawn mower, 4-wheeler, etc,]” and “I just used an eBay wheelchair motor and a spare [controller, battery, raspberry pi] I had in the garage.” While some of that is interesting, it doesn’t get this non-engineer to a starting place. So. . . . . …

Do you know of a DIY electric tug option that’ll work with a tailwheel, and for which there are plans and even an equipment list?

TIA

Stu, who knows Ohm’s Law but not a lot more.

 

[Ironflight]

Well here’s an artcile that tells you how to build one from start to finish….

Build an Electric Tug for Your Airplane - KITPLANES

It’s easier and less expensive than you think.

www.kitplanes.com

I use ours mostly for our big Tundra, but it works on the RV’s as well….

 

[gyoung]

There is a good article recently in Kitplanes. I am building a variant of it for my Rearwin which needs about a 3 foot arm to reach the tailwheel. It has very good directions and a parts list with links to sources.
Kitplanes electric tug

Here are some of the components I've assembled from Amazon and eBay over the last 2 weeks.

 

[Dad's RV-10]

Do you know of a DIY electric tug option that’ll work with a tailwheel, and for which there are plans and even an equipment list?

Look at the second half of this post (beginning with "Still have a few sets of laser cut parts") and reach out to DanH.

 

[g zero]

maybe this idea could be incorporated into a tug . I use my Jeep to bring my plane to the fuel farm .

 

[uk_figs]

Seems like the standard motor gear combo is 24V, is that correct?
Figs

 

[HFS]

maybe this idea could be incorporated into a tug . I use my Jeep to bring my plane to the fuel farm .

Beautiful welds …

 

[DanH]

Do you know of a DIY electric tug option that’ll work with a tailwheel, and for which there are plans and even an equipment list?

I've been distributing LCPs, a parts list, drawings, and a wiring diagram for the dual motor joystick tug. Also have drawings for the very simple tailwheel tug I just did for a buddy, and the equipment list is easy. Link above, post #4. Reinhard's Kitplanes article does a very nice job detailing a more complex tug with pinch arms. Really looks like a hot ticket for the A-model clan.

Key question...can you cut and weld?

Beautiful welds …

Dave, Tom's RV-8 looks like that too. I should get you both to the Social and make an introduction.

 

[StuBob]

I can cut and I can melt things and get them stuck together. Whether it’s actual welding is a different story…

As my son says, “grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain’t!”

 

[rsr3]

maybe this idea could be incorporated into a tug . I use my Jeep to bring my plane to the fuel farm .

That welding looks tremendous! Nice job.

 

[Swingwing]

I took a three weekend break from my 7 project to build the “Aero Schlepper” to move our 182 in and out of the hanger. The front fork is designed to be flipped so I can someday grab the tailwheel and move my RV-7.