I had a Sidewinder for the Bonanza and didn’t like the way it scuffed up the nosewheel. But the tailwheel on the 185 has more rubber on it. Have you used a Sidewinder on a tailwheel airplane?

I have a redline for TBM but don’t know if it or one with an adaptor would work on 185. Easy fit two to push but not for a single person, depending on conditions. Find/borrow one of these to try and see if it works for you. They are for light weight TD’s but if it works it is CSOB qualified.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/p ... ragger.php

I used muscle and the BAS handles in tail to move mine in and out. Depends on the lip hangar has. Practice parking so that you don’t need to turn her much and pushing or pulling alone isn’t bad. If not then something powered which is lots more money.

yep tail pull handles - can usually just manage if its not too heavy. If its heavy you might have to winch it in...think an anchor lagged to floor and electric winch. You still get good snow in Indy, pulling the 180 into the hanger is a PITA even with the tail pull handles.

Oh and they fly just fine with the handles out too... but if mine are any indication your friends will make all kinds of fun of you for leaving them out.

:Oh and they fly just fine with the handles out too... but if mine are any indication your friends will make all kinds of fun of you for leaving them out."


If only one handle is out you may have to trim the rudder a little to compensate for the drag. I like the winch idea just have to put marks outside the hangar to line up on prior to shutting her down.

Incidentally my PPL instructor asked me how I might change heading and land if my ailerons were inop? Besides the rudder, having two doors also give options the Bo does not have...

buy a dragger.com tail drager drager motorized version. Its what I use, it makes moving the 185 effortless.

Andy

It looks like those are too long for my hangar. And hooking it up looks ungainly. Is it a hassle to attach?

Its very easy to attach. My hangar isn't that deep and it fits. As its at an angle i'd guess the floor depth taken is only about 2'. Next time I'm out at the airport I'll measure for you. If you're moving the 185 by yourself it makes it very easy.

Andy

Get a towbar with a small tractor or ATV.

I’d love to, but it wouldn’t fit between the airplane and the back of the hangar, so I’d still have to manhandle the airplane.

https://acairtechnology.com/

There is no better towing device than these robots. I have 2 of them. They are expensive but worth every cent.

Is it a t hangar or can you push it nose first?




I’d love to, but it wouldn’t fit between the airplane and the back of the hangar, so I’d still have to manhandle the airplane.

The guy that bought my Stearman tried a motorized tail dragger but gave up on it. He bought one of those robots and loves it.

Stuart,

I think there is a used EZ tow on BT for sale. Makes handling a tail wheel absolutely effortless.

Jg

Are tow eyes available for the gear legs? Here's what they look like for the L19.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cessna-Bird-Do ... Sw-xVZ6k7t

With those and a tow bar, you tow from the front. I think that's what Marc is suggesting.


I’d love to, but it wouldn’t fit between the airplane and the back of the hangar, so I’d still have to manhandle the airplane.

The robot can tow a tail dragger and shove the tail into the corner of the hangar. I don't know of any other device that is even capable of doing this as effortlessly as the robot. Other things that are nice in a tight spot is you can walk around the airplane to make sure it's safe/clear and keep towing. All other towing devices I own haven't been touched since going full robot: sidewinder, Powertow, towbar, tractor, taildragger dragger.