The Tug Mover has been provided to move our Robin aircraft in and out of the hangar, onto and from the airfield or refuel area. The advantages include moving aircraft single-handed and moving the Robins' without pushing or pulling on propellers, the wooden leading edge or other fabricated parts of the aircraft.

Tug mover

The unit is battery powered, extremely powerful (capable of moving 3 tons) and therefore requires careful handling. The following illustrates the main components and their controls, along with the basic procedures to operate the unit.

Components and Controls

Master Switch: Connects batteries to all components

Main Batteries: 2 Heavy Duty batteries provide power to the unit. A power cord is attached for overnight charging

Drive Motor: This powers the main wheels through a reducing gear

Winch: An electric motor powered winch for pulling aircraft on to the mover and releasing it from the mover

Drive Control: Select and hold to drive forward or backward. It is spring loaded off

Winch Control: Select and hold to wind or unwind winch webbing

Headlight Switch: Switches headlights on and off for night operations!

Connector: Attached to the winch webbing for attachment to the nose leg

Procedures for connecting and moving aircraft

Ensure prop is clear, diagonal for the 4 bladed prop or inverted "Y" for the 3 bladed prop. Nose wheel must be straight. Bring mover into position as shown. The ramp will need to be lowered ready to receive the nose wheel.

Use the winch control to unwind the webbing and attached connector to roughly the extent shown in the picture. Locate the connector into the nose wheel axle.

Slowly winch in so the connector mates snugly with the rear of the nose leg.

Check connector and alignment of nosewheel ready for loading.

Slowly winch aircraft onto platform and nose wheel receptacle. Take care that nose leg doesn't contact the side of the mover.

Aircraft is fully loaded and winch webbing under tension. Check nose leg is straight before moving.

Moving aircraft backwards. The aircraft can be pulled forwards but in this case the whole load will be on the winch, so watch connector and tension as you move.

The main wheels of the mover comfortably drive over the hangar rails. Help the smaller castor wheels over the rails by taking a little weight on the steering arm.

Parking and Charging the Mover

After use the mover should be positioned below the Tug Status Board, a power extension is available here to plug the units charger into overnight. A red light on the side indicates charging which is replaced by a green light when fully charged. No light means no charging power.

Techniques

A briefing from Aidan will be required before using the unit. There are a number of techniques to learn and aspects to monitor which will be discussed at this stage.

Cautions

• The Tug Mover is not waterproof, in fact the electrical connections and motors are quite exposed. So if there is any chance of rain, return the unit to the hangar.
• If the mover is removed without setting the aircraft park brake, the aircraft will roll backwards. This may be acceptable outside but could be risky inside the hangar. Consider setting the park brake before removal.
• It is possible that the tailskid of the Robin will make ground contact when moving in or out of the hillside hangar entrance. Take extra care, whilst we consider a solution to this problem.
• After use remember to put the Master Switch OFF.

Robin May, CTP

October 2004