Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

[mhorowit]

If the entrance to the hanger isn't large enough for the Tcraft to go straight in, it can be done at an angle, but it takes considerable maneuvering.

I suspect the job can be made easier if the tailwheel were lifted onto a steerable carriage with a handle.

Anyone built such a beast? - Mike

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

There is a product you can buy called the "Taildragger dragger" that does that. I personally just use a plain-jane tailwheel towbar - it provides a lot of mechanical advantage and makes it easy to slide the tail around.

These can be had for somewhere around $100. Of course, you may find it more fun to build your own.

- Carl -

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Yeah, I just spotted the "Taildragger Dragger" in Spruce.
I don't see anything I'd consider a 'tailwheel towbar' though.
Can you describe how it connects to the wheel? - MIke

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

I believe the one that I eventually purchased was around $60 and I can't remember where I found it but it had have been though an advert in TAP.

But ... look in your Aircraft Spruce catalog. There are lots there. If you are lucky (??) enough to have a Scott 3200, there is a unit there for that specific tail wheel. The one I purchased was "universal".

The way mine works is thusly. The business end has two tubes (??) that fit over the nuts on tail wheel. It's a spring loaded fork-like arrangement with a long handle. Squeeze the fork to open, fit over the nuts, let go and pull. Well anyway, you can suss it out from the pictures in the catalog.

Having the tow bar makes a big difference to me. It definitely makes it easier to get those 36 foot wings into a 40 foot hangar. You are right off the tail and can see both wing tips equally.

- Carl -

- Carl -

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

OK; what you describe is what I use on a nosewheel i.e. C-172; but as you say, you gotta have something sticking out from the wheel. Mine doesn't have 'em. - Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Mike you don't need one. The Tcraft will fit through hangar doors less than 22 feet opening.
Nose in, point the spinner at the door frame and pivot (like a groundloop) around the spinner. Then go aft, and hey presto! the aircraft is inside!

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Hey - those were the figures and maneuver I was looking for. 22 foot opening for a 36 foot wingspan.

"Nose in, point the spinner at the door frame and pivot (like a groundloop) around the spinner. Then go aft, and hey presto! the aircraft is inside!"

I've seen Howard do this, but didn't remember the details.

"nose in" - not at 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the entrance right? (because if you pivoted at that point, you'd wack the wing tip against the doorframe) Unless you intentionally offset the a/c so that when you pivot (say CW), you don't hit the left wingtip. Am I correct about the offset?




- MIke

[paulp]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Howdy Mike,

Until recently, I had a Beech and my Tcraft in my 40X40 hangar. The beech sat in one corner and I had to angle the Tcraft in then slide the tail over. It was a pain in the a=*!!! Then I remembered that a guy that owned a 140 had bought one of the taildragger draggers. I borrowed it and it works great!!!!! SO, I measured same and built one. Total cost was a little over $20. with most of that going toward the wheels. I can send you a drawing if you want.

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Howdy Mike,

I can send you a drawing if you want.

Would appreciate that! Thanks - MIke
OTOH perhaps others would like to see what you did.
Post here?

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Lost the pics.
I'll try again
Ron C

Made it this time. Thanks. For a DC-3, correct? . Have you noticed there seems to be two approaches? one you lift the handle, the other you press down. - Mike

[paulp]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Howdy Mike & Tribe,

I will ATTEMPT post the dimensions and a pic or two. However, bear in mind that I am the guy that went thru 6 key boards before I discovered that the message " strike any key" did not involve a hammer!!!

Will attempt same this pm, if possible.

[Rick_Utley]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Would like to have drawings too if thats ok...

THANKS!!!

[email protected]

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

That's luverley. Thanks.
I'm going to put something together over the next month and I'll post pics - MIke

[paulp]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Howdy Tribe,

All right, here goes another attempt at posting my drawings of my taildragger cart. The draftsmanship is at best poor-all I know is mine works great.

Sorry tribe, I can't the second image to post for some reason. I get a message that says file too large. If someone wants, they can send me a private e mail with their address and I will send the drafts to them and mabey they can figure out how to post them.

Regards
Paul Patterson

[mhorowit]

Re: Tailwheel carriage, steering thingie??

Paul- if you'll send me the pic, I'll try to size it - Mike