Tugging from the main gear

[ken nougaret]

Here's a topic that I haven't seen discussed. Recently I saw a neighbor tug his stearman with a golf cart connected to the main gear, using a v-shaped tow bar. This is how he moved the aircraft out and back in his hangar. I would like to do the same thing with my Kitfox as I have limited space on the tail end. Has anyone done this? Trying to decide how to best attach to the main gear. Somehow clamp to the gear with rubber protected clamps, or on the outside of the wheels on the axles? 1" steel tubing? The v will come together at a ball hitch to put on my golf cart. I know, folks will say it's a light aircraft, just push it by hand. But, for the time being, my ground is not so easy to push over. All thoughts welcome. Thanks, Ken

[avidflyer]

If you have grove gear, it wouldn't be to hard to make a bracket that bolts on to the inside of the gear using the 4 axel bolts. May need slightly longer bolts. I did that with some aluminum angle so I can jack the plane up easy. I have a piece of 2"x6" that is the right length, and it bolts to the bottom of these brackets (one on each gear leg) Floor jack can do one side, or 2 floor jacks do the whole front. JImChuk

PS Mike Patey isn't the only one with wings on his landing gear..... :-) :-)

[ken nougaret]

Thanks Jim. That's not a bad idea. That's a similar position the stearman had eye bolts for easy drop in of hooks at the end of his tug rods.

[ken nougaret]

BTW, I did forget to mention I have the grove gear.

[ken nougaret]

Here's what I made up. Works good. If I find the install and removal of the blocks to be a pain I'll do as Jim suggested. Hooks to hitch on front of my golf cart, which gets parked in front of the plane anyways.20220330_100957.jpg

[Benbell4140]

Ken, That came out nice! I’m about to start cutting my cowl for the air intake but it looks as if you installed your air filter on the baffling (I’m assuming). Do you have any pictures of that setup? I like the clean look of your lower cowl.


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[Eric Page]

Here's what I made up. Works good. If I find the install and removal of the blocks to be a pain...

Ken, you might consider putting a hinge at the forward end of your wood blocks and an over-center cabinet latch (like this or this) at the back end. Then you can clamp them around the gear legs in a couple of seconds.

[alexM]

Jim's solution is classic tail dragger.
IMG_20191129_141855-01.jpg
In this picture I borrowed a tow bar from the Olympic Flight Museum. The one my uncle owns is made of much heavier 2" square steel tube and does not have those little wheels. I loathe his tow bar because it must be balanced and carried on your shoulder. It always has oil and dirt on it and if left in the sun you can count on some 1st degree burns.

[avidflyer]

Here is a picture of what those "wings" do on my plane. JImChuk

[ken nougaret]

That's funny Eric. A neighbor was over and suggested the exact same thing you said. Thanks Jim, makes sense now.