$ 5000 Tug

blackbeard10 · #1 12-10-2020, 07:13 AM

My hangar neighbor has one of those 5 grand tank tread radio controlled tugs.
Call it my RV tug grin when I pull out my 4 with this little gem. Owe the design to another VAF contributor. Let's see... recycled Jazzie power chair wheels and motors (Ebay), recycled plywood from an old workbench, two way momentary switch for forward and reverse, 12 v car battery castoff from my wife's Volvo and a non reliable Odyssey battery for 24 total volts and some other odds and ends. Drum roll......$ 92.78.
Massive power and I still have $ 4,907.22 to spend at SteinAir.

Dugaru · #2 12-10-2020, 07:49 AM

That is truly glorious. Would love to see more photos if you get a chance. None of us is getting any younger, and I'd wager few of us have improving back conditions....

Desert Rat · #3 12-10-2020, 08:17 AM

very nice!

Snowflake · #4 12-10-2020, 08:32 AM

Nice! But i'm docking 10 points for standing your cordless drill on the drill bit.

Ed_Wischmeyer · #5 12-10-2020, 08:41 AM

Somehow I still have my old RV-4 tailwheel tow bar. It's looking for a home...

Jvon811 · #6 12-10-2020, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Nice! But i'm docking 10 points for standing your cordless drill on the drill bit.

If that's going to hurt the tool, then it's probably not a very good tool! Try a couple 10' drop tests on the tool then pass judgement, haha.

blackbeard10 · #7 12-10-2020, 09:42 AM

I will post some pics and measurements later. It will work on 12 volts but does not have enough power, so two 12v batteries in series works fine. I used 12 ga. auto wire at first but it got a little warm so I doubled all of the runs and problem solved. Used a left over momentary on-off-on switch which works fine but be sure to mark the direction Forward/Reverse or you get a hard punch in the gut!!
You could get fancy and install a reostat throttle grip (Amazon) but just momentary pulsing works fine. Simplicity!
The handle is 3/4 pipe and fittings and the handle swivels on the base for storage but still works well. The key is the use of the Jazzie wheels. You will need to cruise eBay periodically for a matching pair that includes motor, wheels, and tires.
I got mine for around $ 85. I leave the tire pressure a little low to get good traction. The angle that slides under the tail easily slides under the wheel when you drive it up. At first I tried just the T handle quick release pin to keep the wheel engaged...the wheel jumped out on pulling. So I use the nylon cord wrapped around the tailwheel shaft and slip it over the bolt with carabiner for a keeper.
This could be improved (you engineers have at it) but it works fine for me and keeping with Steve Melton's theory of simplicity I'll stick with this method. I am finishing up a Zenith 750 Stol Nose dragger project and I will build an adapter to engage the nose wheel to move the 750. It should work fine. Again I want to thank the original VAF post for posting his version.
The drill fell over...not stored. :-)

blackbeard10 · #8 12-10-2020, 03:22 PM

In order not to clog up Doug's site, please go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/187537445@N08/?
for more photos and measurements some measurements did not show up well width of platform 17.5 " C channel is 7' long 1.5 deep and 2.75 wide
And yes, I should have at least some shrink tubing on the switch contacts for safety reasons. Note drill :-}

AlpineYoda · #9 12-10-2020, 04:08 PM

I'd suggest that you can save $92.78 just by using your 13 year old as your tug, but the grocery bill is a lot more than $92.78 a week.

DanH · #10 12-10-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineYoda

I'd suggest that you can save $92.78 just by using your 13 year old as your tug, but the grocery bill is a lot more than $92.78 a week.

If money was no object, I'd just have Ms Patti pull mine.