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Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:18 pm
by Bruce Fenstermacher
We received this at HQ an am posting here so that those more familier might post and Pat can read any responses with the link I will give him. I've already told him in email that there were two brackets used on the 170 series and that both the brackets were different in construction but both used a AN6 bolt to hold the springs to the bracket.
Hopefully those more familier with a tow bracket on our 170s can give Pat some insight.
Good Afternoon,
I am investigating the manufacturing of a bracket for a tow hook for the Cessna 140, 170 and L-19 Birddog. I have the bracket that Gasser used and also their STC for the installation. However, in my research, I have come across several question about the hole size in the bracket (tail springs) for the bolt that attaches to the fuselage. I know that some models of the 140 and 170 have different hole sizes, some 5/16” and some 3/8”.
My questions are:
1. Has anyone installed the Gasser bracket on their aircraft and has it worked? Are you towing banners or gliders? Or, do you have a different bracket that works better?
2. Would it be better to manufacture two different brackets with different hole sizes or would you prefer to have a bushing in the 5/16” hole in case there has been a modification of your tail springs?
Any assistance or help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Pat Hockett
Wings Unlimited, Inc.
25900 College Blvd.
Olathe, KS 66061
913-782-5176
Wingsunlimitedtowhooks.com
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:08 pm
by canav8
Bruce I have a tailhook STC that is applicable to the 170. Its at the hangar but I believe it applied to the 170 and the 180. I haven't looked at it for a long time but I will dig it out if you are seeking more info. Doug
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:11 pm
by bagarre
Towing gliders with a 170. That just seems cruel to both pilots.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:48 pm
by lowNslow
bagarre wrote:Towing gliders with a 170. That just seems cruel to both pilots.
Having towed gliders with a 170 I'll agree with your statement. Even though it had a 180hp engine it was a marginal tow plane.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:30 pm
by Bruce Fenstermacher
I'm not looking for more info, Pat Hockett is. I'll bet he knows the 170 and the 140 aren't the best tow planes specially with their stock engines. But he's still looking for info what might be the best way to go should he develop one which it sounds like he has done.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:33 pm
by voorheesh
Anyone ever towed banners with a stock 170?
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:53 am
by messersmith
Although I have never been on the end of a tow rope behind a 170, I have many flights in England behind the DH Chipmunk with the 145hp. The Chipmunk empty weight is 200 pounds more than the 170. We were towing the single place gliders only... Nothing big. Later, at our club in Ohio, we pulled a Grob 103 (two-place glass ship) for several months with a 172. Nothing to brag about, but do-able and safe. One of the many reasons that I switched from the 195 back to the 170 was the possibility of installing a tow hitch.
Has anyone towed a glider with the 145hp 170?
Dave
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 1:54 am
by pdb
I have a hook and tow with my 53 170B with the O-300. It's not a Pawnee but it is adequate for unballasted single seat gliders. I can no longer remember if I have towed a 2-33 with two but I think I have.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pdbrown170b/434073274/
Its not the word's best climbing tow plane and if you have 20 guys ready to launch between 11:30 and 12:00, someone may be disappointed. However, I launch two friends, one in a 1-35 and one in 1-23, and then climb our Russia AC-5M and self launch and everyone's happy.
Word of caution: our field is close to sea level and a scorching day is 75 so I am not sure how this would work out in Reno. I also think having a CHT fitted on every cylinder woud be a good idea.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:47 pm
by hilltop170
Some float pilots have installed tow hooks to make it easier to self-launch a float plane into a swift current. The plane can be tailed onto the bank and secured with a line anchored from shore to the tow hook. Then the engine can be started, warmed up, and even run-up while tied to the bank. Only then, if everything checks out would the pilot release the tow hook launching the plane into the current safely and ready to go. Having to push off from shore into a current is not something a float pilot wants to do. Good way to wreck your plane if it doesn't start.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:36 am
by dunlaps3
Towing Gliders with a 170B works good if it says "Franklin" on your valve covers
C-170 tow hitch
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:41 pm
by n2582d
Here's some additional reference material for those considering this modification:
Cessna YouTube video
337 form from Mx. Library.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 5:40 am
by Blue4
The best thing about that recently-released Cessna video was the link to the folks who now manufacture the Schweizer-style tow hook.
They are called Wings Unlimited, and following this link:
http://www.wingsunlimitedtowhooks.com/technical.html
Will let you download a pdf entitled "Cessna 140-170 Schweizer Tow Hook Installation" (look for it on the page). That contains a drawing that shows installation on a 170. The topmost leaf spring in the stack is replaced with a mounting bracket. Wings sells that modified leaf as well as the hooks.
I've considered towing with my 170,I think the performance here in Alaska would be acceptable -- we don't see the density altitudes that you all will in the lesser 48.
-Scott
PS I just read the original post -- and saw that I referenced the guy who posted it! I guess he figured it out.
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:54 pm
by Blue4
I'm replying to my own post 3 years later because now I am the one in need of information.
I am seeking any and all information related to the installation of a Schweizer tow release on a Cessna 170. If you have a copy of an STC (there are 2 that I know of), drawings, or even a 337 I would most sincerely appreciate your help.
Thank you, this forum has always been great.
-Scott
Re: Towing hook install on 140, 170 and L-19
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:54 pm
by pdb
Scott,
If you will send me a pm with your email address, I will send along a copy of my 337 for my 170b.
Pete Brown
pdbrown170b@me.com