Well, after nearly 3 months I finally got my Airhorse back. This is probably the best Tug you can buy to move around just about any airplane from a C-150 to a Citation Jet without having to get off the tug. It is hydrostatic drive and the wheel lift is hydraulic. You simply pull up to the nose wheel and pull the lever to raise the wheel. The steering drives hydraulic rams on the lift and that turns the whole machine.

The original engine was a Kohler KT17 which just isn't much of an engine IMO and parts are rare. It had old-style points ignition and carb problems as well. I sent the whole machine to a retired Wheel Horse dealer. He re-powered the machine with a modern Briggs twin, reworked the body and powder coated it, had new "AirHorse" stickers made, rewired the electrical system, adjusted all the controls, and installed very nice LED lights.

It now starts quickly and looks presentable. These things are over $20k new at Tiffin Air. They now use the John Deere brand and call them AirDeere.

That is a thing of beauty.

It really is fantastic. Great job Todd. We all like how you roll!

Thanks guys. It really is the ultimate tug. Not having to mess with tow bars is a big plus. Also, this thing literally weighs a ton. It has no problem pulling or pushing in the snow. With the new lighting system it really is great at night as well.

That is purely awesome. Looks like a great tug.

Todd,


Uuuummmmm.....how do you steer it? What does the steering wheel control?

Thats a sweet tug and it sounds like it could pull your clown planes up the side of a mountain.


Matt

Yeah, let's see; it has a vibrating saddle? And I thought those black things were foot rests, until i saw in the next photo that they are lights. I guess i need to see the demo video.

Nice...a sticker to let a thief know from whom he/she stole it. ( just kidding

It reminds me of that History channel show where the guy does awesome restorations on equipment etc. Yours looks to be of that quality!

Psssssst! I hate to tell you but someone has knocked off the front wheels!

Wow, now that's a tug.
PS: love your shiny floor.....

Hydraulic fluid is pumped up to the steering wheel collar. When you turn the wheel you redirect pressure either to the right or left power rams that causes a pivoting action between the tractor and the rear lift. The steering has no hard stops. It is a pretty neat system.

A little overkill for the Grumman in the background isn't it? Now a Duke would be just about right.

Uh Tom, the pot calling the kettle black???

You can tell a lot about a man by the size of his tug.

You win, that makes me a manlet......