On the pull?

[ROB. THOMASSON]

I'm about to start using a sit on mower as a tug to move my Auster. Snags are, it's a small doorway to the hangar and the aircraft is on trolleys. So straps, A frame or 2 leg A frame and let the U?C form the third leg? Thoughts, advice, experiences? I can't really practice outside as the runway is grass to the trolley wheels will dig in.

[Trevor Harvey]

I use a tailwheel dolly on my Emeraude. The tailwheel is “semi castoring” in that it is steered by the rudder to about 30 deg then breaks loose to freely castor.
This system was used with tractors on HMS Eagle in the ‘50s with a tow hook at the front and back of the tractor, a technique is required but we were expected to place 3 wheels on 3 spots for wings to be spread or folded, mostly pushing using the front tow hook. Where the little wheel is, is irrelevant.
If the a/c needs to be manipulated through a narrow doorway, this would need the trolleys (glider fashion) to move it sideways, often a 3 man operation!
Any help?

[ROB. THOMASSON]

I'm glad it's not me being a wimp! I had an electric pusher made out of a mobility scooter but it lacked both shove and life as the Chinese speed controller lasted as long as a Chinese take away! I'll play with the idea of a sit on mower but so far 3 sources have failed! Bad end of the year I guess. My hips are so bad now I struggle to get in the door of the Auster. Still we'll get there eventually. As soon as I do there'll be a vacancy in the big hangar that has 40 foot doors and electrics. Enjoy your flying!

[mikeblyth]

its a pain but I bought a winch £50 and power it with a 12V power pack £20 to pull a PA 28 in and out if
no help about
Ways and means

[ROB. THOMASSON]

Good thoughts but I'd have to move the pull point on the winch 6 times to get her out. It would be more effort than pulling her manually especially as there's no suitable attachment point outside and the car has no towball. Now about those hoverboards they had in Back to the Future.....

[Trevor Harvey]

Good thoughts but I'd have to move the pull point on the winch 6 times to get her out. It would be more effort than pulling her manually especially as there's no suitable attachment point outside and the car has no towball. Now about those hoverboards they had in Back to the Future.....

Actually that’s not so far fetched as one might think.
I built a (hover board) once, consisting of little more than a sheet of plywood with an airline attached, it could lift 50Kg easily which was then moved around with fingertips (over a smooth surface).

[ROB. THOMASSON]

The farmer is lending me a sit on mower, the sort with casters for the front wheels that can spin in its own length so I'll post how well it works. A float mod might be a good idea too at the moment!

[tnowak]

Why not consider laying some grasscrete type products to "reinforce" your grass area immediately outside your hangar? That way the wheels on the dolleys won't dig in.
Something similar to this:
https://www.grasscrete.com/docs/paving/grassroad.html
Tony

[ROB. THOMASSON]

We are using 3 sheets of 1/4 ply on the compacted gravel/hoggin at the moment. If it rains much more I'll be able to float her out! Thanks for the link on the grasscrete