B7200HST - Useable FEL Models & Availability?

[NoJacketRequired]

I acquired a B7200 for airport use, with the intent of fabricating a lifting device for the front end of the tractor to be used to help in moving airplanes around.

Now that I have the tractor I'm beginning to think that maybe the easier thing to do would be to install a front end loader and use that as the basis for my "airplane lifter / tug".

What I don't know is what loaders will easily fit on this tractor, and whether any such FEL's might be available on the market. I don't want to bust the bank doing this project so I'm looking for a reasonably economical solution. The tractor already has one remote valve mounted on the right fender, previously used to run a remote wood splitter.

Thanks in advance for your helpful replies.

 

[D2Cat]

Why not build a dolly for the 3pt to move the planes? Less work, less cost, and more ability to lift, and better traction with tires when rolling forward.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, D2.

Have you ever tried to move an airplane with a small tractor? Most folks who try it think of TOWING the airplane behind you; that works but it's only the easy part. The real trick is PUSHING the airplane backwards into the hangar. Imagine a 38-40 foot wide hangar bay and an airplane with 36+ foot wingspan. Space is tight and you have to get it right, otherwise the nice soft aluminum wing loses the battle big time with the strong steel hangar door post. This makes it almost mandatory to sit facing the aircraft and, ideally, spaced a few feet away from the nose of the aircraft so you can get some triangulation / depth perception perspective on the location of the wingtips.

I've pulled airplanes with tractors and it's no fun at all because you're always turning around to ensure no part of the airplane is coming close to touching anything around it. I've also pushed airplanes with an old Ford 8N on an icy ramp - that's really scary! The B7200 has all the right basic attributes for an aircraft tug - good clear sight lines from the operator seat, hydrostatic transmission for infinite speed control and no herky-jerky stuff, 4wd for good traction, tight turning radius and fairly light steering... It's just missing some means of hooking up to the airplane. I was going to use the existing hydraulic remote for that purpose, but the FEL just seems like an easier way to achieve the end goal, and maybe get some extra utility from the tractor as a nice side benefit.

Oh, I should have mentioned that it's mandatory to have some "lift" in this hookup because the nose of the airplane must be lifted in order to lower the tail of the airplane. Yup, you likely guessed it... The tail of the airplane is taller than the hangar door opening!

 

[NoJacketRequired]

I should add that I want to keep the 3pt hitch free for use with the 51" Meteor snow blower currently hanging from it. We're getting lots of snow this winter so she's getting a bit of a workout!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

A FEL for the operation, while it might sound great it wouldn't work that great.

2 Things:
The pins and pivots on a small loader like that is going to be very sloppy.
It would move so much weight so far forward that it would not only put a tremendous strain on the front axle it would also become uncontrolable.

Way better option would be a lift like this:

 

[85Hokie]

A FEL for the operation, while it might sound great it wouldn't work that great.

2 Things:
The pins and pivots on a small loader like that is going to be very sloppy.
It would move so much weight so far forward that it would not only put a tremendous strain on the front axle it would also become uncontrolable.

Way better option would be a lift like this:

I got a feeling that if that was used to back a plane into the hanger.....there would not be much of a hanger left.....and that is after the plane got clipped a few feet of aerodynamic lift devices!

 

[D2Cat]

How about building a framework on the front of the tractor but just have the hyd. cyl. going straight up and down for the lift you need. Build the frame out as far as you need, and attached to the tractor with a sub frame like for a loader.

Should be simple. You don't need the curl of a loader so you don't need a double spool valve. Basically a hyd. operated jack mounted to the front of your tractor.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Basically a hyd. operated jack mounted to the front of your tractor.

Hey I already said that!

 

[SDMauler]

How about using the subframe for a snowblower or front blade, and designing an adjustable height hitch? You would only get 3-4" of lift, but that should be enough. You could put a FEL on, and build something on an adapter plate, like those that converts it to a skid loader type mount, but the subframe would put the load closer to the tractor frame. I don't think weight would be a big factor, since the aircraft are normally pushed with a yoke, and all the weight stays on the front gear, unless you're doing something different.

I think it would be wise to ballast the rear tires. And if it isn't already done, paint a centerline in the door opening, and use spotters.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

How about building a framework on the front of the tractor but just have the hyd. cyl. going straight up and down for the lift you need. Build the frame out as far as you need, and attached to the tractor with a sub frame like for a loader.

Should be simple. You don't need the curl of a loader so you don't need a double spool valve. Basically a hyd. operated jack mounted to the front of your tractor.

This is exactly what the original plan called for. Then the idea of using a FEL came into play, simply as a means of reducing the amount of fabrication required.

BTW, we're talking about lifting 200-350lbs here - not big commercial jets, but rather airplanes that can be afforded by guys like me who are using a B7200 for this job instead of a brand new Kubota!

 

[NoJacketRequired]

How about using the subframe for a snowblower or front blade, and designing an adjustable height hitch? You would only get 3-4" of lift, but that should be enough. You could put a FEL on, and build something on an adapter plate, like those that converts it to a skid loader type mount, but the subframe would put the load closer to the tractor frame. I don't think weight would be a big factor, since the aircraft are normally pushed with a yoke, and all the weight stays on the front gear, unless you're doing something different.

I think it would be wise to ballast the rear tires. And if it isn't already done, paint a centerline in the door opening, and use spotters.

Thanks for sharing all your good suggestions, folks.

In this instance, we're talking light piston-engined, propeller-driven aircraft, so there's a need to get the nose of the airplane spaced a little bit away from the tractor so as to ensure precious metal doesn't get bent. Yes, most heavier aircraft get towed using a towbar, however in our area, where we often have snow, ice etc, using a towbar is simply a bad idea. All it takes is for one of the main wheels to hit a lump of ice and the whole airplane corkscrews around that stopped wheel. That's why lifting the nose wheel is a critical component in this equation.

While having spotters is a great idea, I often fly alone, depart early and/or arrive after dark, after most folks have gone home from our quiet little airport. Spotters are a terrific idea, when they are around. When they are not around, that painted stripe delineating the center of the hangar door opening is critical, as is a pair of paint stripes for the main wheels. Airplanes are graceful in the air, but terribly ungainly on the ground. Add winter conditions to the equation and the complexity of the task of moving airplanes in and out of the hangar jumps up by an order of magnitude.

I've tugged big airplanes on really nicely marked airports - just follow the painted lines and you're fine. Oh, until it snows and there are no lines to be seen. Winter makes things so much fun! LoL

Speaking of winter, I just used the B7510 to clear four laneways this evening. My wife keeps laughing at me because she says every time I come in the house after blowing snow I'm grinning from ear to ear. Yeah, what's not to like about a Kubota with a heated cab and a front-mounted snow blower?!?!?!