We took delivery of N499MR, SR22 0094 on October 1, flew it home, and have flown every weekend since. We love the plane, it was worth the wait. Everything went well until we tried to back it into the hanger. That was when I learned that the castering nosewheel was designed to roll forward and not backward. The only other problem is the mystery of the engine start.
I have contacted Skyline Aviation @ www.dragger.com and Power Tow @ www.powertow.com. Skyline is working on adapting their tug design to fit the Cirrus nose wheel. They are looking for a Cirrus owner in southern Michigan to demonstrate their product. I would like to talk to any Cirrus owner that has experience with either the gas or electric Power Tow.
I would also like to know if anyone has developed a SR22 cold starting sequence that works every time. Any help and advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
It works as advertised. The SR22 is probably at the upper end of the weight it can handle - so I wouldn’t count on it dragging the SR22 up even a VERY slight incline or over any bumps. But it gets mine in and out of the hangar just fine.
The attachment to the SR22’s nosewheel is extremely simple. Takes 1 second once you’ve got the hang of it (which takes a couple of times). Having the corded version works fine in and around my hangar – and it is probably more reliable than either gas or battery power. But, I dont tug very far.
So, I’d recommend the PowerTow for those with a similar application.
I have a PowerTow 40 (gas) for an SR22. It works fine, the adaptors are already there for it and work. My hangar has a slide upgrade to get in, and there is no problem with the ooomph to get it in. Now, the hangar only has a couple inches on each side of the wide wings, and does present a precise motion to get it in, especially over the lip (the plane can lurch an inch or two either way when going over it). And when it is that tight, it is just a matter of time…
I really have not had a problem with my PowerTow over 4 years.
cheers, jb
Could a PowerTow EZ35/40 user tell me if the wheel pant extensions need to be ordered to tow a SR20? Also is the $60 bucks for partial assembly worth it ? Finally, has anyone had any experience with the ThunderVolt battery powered tow that uses the EZ35/40 chassis?
I have a Cirrus SR 20 hangared at Muskegon MI (MKG) 40 miles west of Grand Rapids, and there is also an SR 22 on the field if Power tow are interested in demonstrating their product.
I have yet to use my electric Power Tow as my FBO can’t seem to get my hanger ready. Hopefully I will use it this weekend and if so I will let you know how it goes.
I gather you have the 35EZ Electric. Most of the complaints regarding tugs is that they do not stay attached to the nosewheel and either come loose or come loose and damage the nosewheel housing. Is the electric unit sensitive to the wire gauge size on the extension cord? Sometimes a long length of small gauge wire will limit motor performance. The specs. indicate at 3/4 hp. I don’t know the exact draw of this motor, but there might be a problem on #14 or #16 wire. Have you used #12 wire with it?
> I have a PowerTow 40 (gas) for an SR22. It works fine, the adaptors are already there for it and work.
Seconded.
I have the same model for moving my SR20 around - lots of power, easy to use, starts easily first time, every time. Uses 100LL - I just empty the fuel I sample from the tanks during preflight into the tank when it needs it.
It was recommended to me by the maintenance shop on the field - they’ve used theirs for 4 years… never changed the oil, never even cleaned the sparkplug. They don’t recommend treating any engine that way, but they say that at ~$800, when theirs stops working, they’ll just buy a new one.
> Could a PowerTow EZ35/40 user tell me if the wheel pant extensions need to be ordered to tow a SR20? Also is the $60 bucks for partial assembly worth it ? Finally, has anyone had any experience with the ThunderVolt battery powered tow that uses the EZ35/40 chassis?
I have the EZ40, and wheel pant protection is not needed. There is ample clearance. In fact, it may be more difficult to handle with the wheel pant extention on.
The $60 may be worthwhile unless you enjoy putting things together, have a good place to do it, and are willing to spend about 3 hours on the project. I grumbled through my assembly, but it really hasn’t too bad. I doubt it would take me as long as an hour if I were to do it a second time, but I don’t plan to anytime soon. If you’re going to do it in your hangar, don’t forget to take a quart of motor oil with you (15W30? - I forget), or you’ll just need to make another trip before you start it. I’m willing to bet that this applies even if you order the assembled version - they probably ship the engine dry. They warn you against using aircraft oil.
No experience with the battery powered version, although I’ve heard others say that it doesn’t have as much torque as the 35. My A&P recommended the gas version as being easy, powerful and problem-free. Early days yet for me (I’ve had it only about a month), but so far, so good.
I use the 110v electric and it fits the 20 (soon a 22 next week) without any extender. Works great and because I have a tight hangar for the 22 is great because you can move the aircraft much slower than I could with the gas unit I borrowed for about 6 months from the prior hangar tennant. The partial assembly for me was worth it. I usually wind up breaking something and don’t have the patience.
I’ve had the same EZ35 for 8 years. When I sold my Commander 114 and bought my SR22 in June, I called Northwest Mfg,and ordered new attatchment fittings(no extentions) The powertow still works perfect(had to replace one fan belt in 8 Years) and it’s easy to hook up to the SR22