AC Air Technology AC Tracktech T-MINI with Grab Cradle User manual

Instruction Manual MODEL: AC Tracktech
T-MINI with Grab Cradle
World’s First Portable, Remote-Control Aircraft Tugs
95488 Rev. B

Contents
1. Components
2. Start-Up Guide
2-1. Radio Operation
2-2. Operating the Tug
2-3. Loading onto Tug
2-4. Adjusting Grab Cradle
2-5. Adjusting the Track Tension
2-6. Unloading the Tug
2-7. Charging the Tug
2-8. Charging the Transmitter
2-9. Replacing Transmitter Batteries
2-10. Spare Parts
2-11. Track Tools
3. Warranty

1. Components
Tug
Tug Charger
Radio Transmitter Battery Tray Radio Charger
Owners Manual Spare Parts Bag

2-1. Radio Operation
2. Start Up Guide
1. Switch the radio on and make sure the power indicator light turns on and the
radio beeps once. If this does not happen, check to make sure the batteries
were installed correctly. When the battery level for the radio becomes low the
radio will begin to beep, signaling you to replace or recharge the batteries.
Note: The 3 Speed Toggle ranges from fast, moderate, and slow.
When operating the tug at slow speeds it may be neccessary to
switch to the moderate or fast speed position on the toggle when
turning at 90 degrees. Factors such as terrain and incline may
affect the maneuverability of the tug.Adjust the speed at your own
discretion.
Control Stick
Latch Release Switch
Power Indicator
LED
ON/OFF
Switch
Light Switch
3 Speed Toggle
Charging Jack
Lanyard Anchor
Charging Indicator LED

2. Start Up Guide
Warning: The control stick on the remote is very sensitive and will cause
the tug to move if it is moved accidentally. When not using the remote it is
recommended that the power switch be turned OFF.
Note: If the remote is not used for more than a couple minutes it will start
beeping as a indicator that it is still in the ON position. This is not an
indicator of a low battery.
2. To drive the tug, move the control stick in the desired direction.
Forward
Right
Reverse
Left
Reverse
Right
Forward
Left
ON

2-2. Operating the Tug
2. Start Up Guide
1. Before turning on the tug, make sure that the tracks and bottom of the tug are free
from obstruction.
2. Turn the tug on using the ON/OFF button. There will be a short series of beeps and
then the power indicator LED around the power button will illuminate to show the tug
is on. The Power Indicator LED will blink to indicate the charge level of the battery is
low.
3. Turn on the power switch on the radio controller and the power indicator LED will be
green and the transmit indicator LED will be red.
ON/OFF Button/Power Indicator

Check for proper seating and alignment.
For the right side arrow the sprocket
(not shown) is behind the idler roller.
5. After lifting the tug off of the ground for any reason or taking it in and out of your
aircraft, you must check to make sure the sprockets are correctly seated on the
tracks. If the sprocket is not properly seated it could result in damage to the tracks.
6. Visually inspect the tracks for wear on the treads and wear on the inner plastic
surfaces. Also inspect for damaged or missing rotoclips as a result of driving over
small rocks. Damaged threads should be replaced before operating the tug.
Note: The circuit breaker reset button will trip if the tug is overloaded. The circuit
breaker button is white and is located on the PC board towards the center.
To reset the circuit breaker open the top cover to push the reset button
down. If the reset button pops back up then wait 1 minute and try again.
4. When towing your airplane ALWAYS be cautious of the steering angle limitations of
your aircraft. Do not oversteer your aircraft with the tug. This can cause damage to
your gear.

1. Use the cradle release lever to un-latch the cradle and position the wheel cradle in the
down position.
2-3. Loading onto Tug
2. Start Up Guide
Wheel cradle in down position
Cradle Release Lever
2. Place wheel chocks behind the main tires of the plane to ensure the plane does not roll
back.

3. Now slowly drive the tug under the wheel and keep the tire centered between the
grab blades as best as you can. If you have a fairing then visual check to make
sure you are not going to hit it with the cradle. If your tracks slip when trying to
load the tire then put a slight force downward on the back cover.
Back Roller
Tire
Wheel Fairing
Drive Tug Under The Tire
4. When the tire contacts the back roller then continue slowly while the tire pushes
the roller and the grab blades are lifted up on both sides of the tire. Watch the
grab blades on both sides of the tire to make sure they are not too tight on the
tire that they are not allowed to pivot up freely. Continue loaing until the cradle
is locked in the up position. Warning: If the grab blades are too tight on the
tire DO NOT CONTINUE, Adjust the grab blades.
Grab Blades Pivot Up Close to Tire on Both Sides
Slight Force Here if
Tracks Slip

2. Start Up Guide
2-4. Adjusting the Grab Cradle
1. The grab cradle will be preset from the factory for a 5.00-5 tire.
Measure the distance between the top of the grab blade points. For a 5.00-5 tire this should
measure around 5-1/8”.

2. Take note of the location of the 4 adjuster screws on the adjuster blocks.
Each adjuster block has two sets of 4 holes with 2 screws in each adjuster.
Adjuster Screws
Adjuster Blocks

3. Then remove the 4 adjuster screws and move grab blade assemblies closer
together or further apart. You can increment the spacing by 1/16” until any of
the top adjuster block holes line up with the bottom adjuster block holes.
Note: The location of the screws in the adjuster block can change from their
previous locations and the front set can be different from the rear set.
Remove Adjuster Screws fromAdjuster Blocks
Front Set Rear Set
4. Re-install adjuster screws into the adjuster blocks, 4 total screws. Measure the
distance between the grab blade points to verify their new spacing is larger or
smaller than your initial measurement in step 1.
5. Try loading the airplane tire to see if the adjustment is correct for your tire size.

2. Start Up Guide
2-5. Adjusting the Track Tension
Track tension might need to be adjusted after several hours of use.
Follow the instructions below for each track.
1. Remove 4 track cover screws and remove the outside plastic track cover.
2. Loosen 4 front end retainer screws with an allen wrench. Insert a flathead screw driver
into the access slot and push the screw driver towards the tug to leverage the front end
of the rail, tightening the track. While holding the screw driver in the desired position
tighten the front end retainer screws. IF THE FRONT END OF THE RAIL IS FULLY
EXTENDED AND THE TRACKSARE LOOSE SEE STEPS 2B BELOW. If track
tension is successful move on to step 3.
Track Cover Screws
Plastic Track Cover
Front End
4 Front End Retainer Screws
Flathead Screw
Driver Access Slot

2B-1. Verify the front end is fully extended by inspecting the indicator line
located next to the front end retainer screws. The indicator line will line
up with the edge of the tug main plate once the front end is fully
extended.
2B. Adjusting Track Tension on a Fully Extended Front End
The tug spare parts kit provided with the tug will be required.
Front View
Indicator line aligns with
tug main plate
**The image depicts a different model T-Mini but the track
procedure will work for the T-Mini Grab Cradle model**

2B-3. Loosen 4 front end retainer screws with an allen wrench and push the
front end of the the track to relieve track tension. Temporarily re-tighten
the front end retainer screws in the retracted state.
2B-2. Remove 3 Torx track cover screws and remove the inside track cover.
Track Cover Screws
Plastic Inside Track Cover
Push Front End
4 Front End Retainer Screws

2B-4. Remove 2 adjacent Rotoclips from the front end of the tug. Remove 2
track pins with the Rotorclips on the opposite end intact and 2 track links.
Tip: Tap the end of the track pin using a hammer to drive the pin
through the Rotoclip. The Rotoclip will not be reusable after
removal.
Tap Track Pin Here
Rotoclip and Pin Intact
Discard Rotoclips
Track Link

2B-5. Remove one track segment and align the ends of the track.
Track Segment
2B-6. Overlap the Track Links on each side of the track and insert the track pin
and rotoclip as shown below.
Retainer Clip
Tool
Insert Rotoclip into
Retainer Clip Tool
(Teeth pointing
towards clip tool)
Track Pin
Track Pin and Rotoclip
New Rotoclip
Retainer Clip Tool
Apply pressure on end of pin when
inserting the clip on the other end
2B-7. Inspect the track pin and Rototclips. The Rotoclips should rotate freely
inside the pin groove. Reinstall the Inside Plastic Track Cover. Section
2B is complete, proceed to step 2 for adjusting track tension.

3. There should be about a 1/2” of play at the center of the track.
1/2” Up and Down Play at Center of Track
4. Reinstall the plastic track covers.
Install Plastic Track Cover
5. Repeat steps for the other track.

2. Start Up Guide
2-6. Unloading the Airplane Wheel Off of the Tug
1. Turn the tug power ON and the radio power ON if not already on.
2. Put chocks under the main wheels of the aircraft.
3. Push the tug slightly forward so the airplane tire puts pressure on the back gate of the
cradle.
(The back gate is the gate that is closest to the latch mechanism)
4. While holding a slight pressure on the back gate release the latch by holding the latch
release button on the radio.
5. While still holding the latch release button move the tug away from the tire.
6. The front gate should go down and the grab blades should pivot down also allowing the
airplane tire will roll out of the cradle.

2. Start Up Guide
2-7. Charging the Tug
1. Before charging your tug, be sure the radio and tug are both turned OFF.
2. The charging indicator light on the charger should light up red once the charger is
connected properly. The tug will be fully charged once the charge indicator light turns
green.
It is recommended to leave the tug charging when not in use.
3. Once it is fully charged, unplug the charger and turn the tug on. Then turn the tug off for a
few seconds and back on again. This will resets the tug. It is now ready to be used.
Charging Jack Charging Indicator
Light