AIRTUG NFE-4 Quick reference guide

AIRTUG® Assembly & Operating Instructions
MODEL: NFE-4
Airtug, LLC is not responsible for damage sustained
when proper clearance is not maintained by the operator
between the tug and the aircraft and its surroundings.
Tug Operation: The combination of the rocker switch and thumb throttle operate the tug in forward
and reverse. The operator must select the direction of desired movement. Pressing the thumb
throttle slightly results in a creeper (very slow) tug speed and full pressure results in maximum tug
speed. In tight quarters in and around the hangar, the tug can be operated very slowly offering greater
safety when moving your aircraft. Always have a little momentum when approaching the hangar door
seal or weather edge when returning the aircraft to the hangar. Ramps should be used for any lips
greater than 1/4” as the lips act essentially like a wheel chock. When tugging the aircraft an extended
distance, it is easiest and safest to face forward with the tug & aircraft behind you while controlling the
tug speed with the thumb throttle. The thumb throttle is spring loaded to return to the neutral position.
Braking is effected by gradually releasing the thumb throttle, but not any faster than necessary. While
moving the aircraft on a downgrade, the tug will only move as fast as the operator allows.
Caution: Braking too abruptly from a higher speed can seriously damage the differential ring
gear. This is considered abuse and will not be covered by the transaxle warranty.
*The toggle switch at the top of the handle engages the
parking brake when itʼs in the “OFF” position. To move the
unit and power the speed control, flip the toggle to the “On”
position. Always leave toggle in “Off” position when not in
use.
SAVE THIS DOCUMENT AND ENSURE ALL OPERATORS READ IT PRIOR TO MOVING ANY AIRCRAFT
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General Maintenance
Tire Pressure: The tire pressure can range from 15 psi for lighter aircraft, up to 28 psi for heavier
aircraft.
Transaxle: This is a sealed unit and should not require maintenance or fluid.
Drive Wheel Bearings: Permanently lubricated.
Caster Zerk Fittings: Needs to be lubed periodically to ensure ease of caster wheel steering.
Drive Chains: Apply chain lube periodically depending on use and environment.
Tools Needed For Assembly: Wire cutter, utility knife, 5/16” - 1/2” - 9/16” & 11/16” sockets
and / or wrenches.
Assembly Note: All reference to “right” and “left” orientation is made while standing behind the tug
and looking forward. The “rear” or “back” of the tug is the end the operator stands.
Battery Maintenance:
1. Keep batteries fully charged.
2. Battery connections should be kept tight at all times. Periodic inspection is recommended.
3. Keep batteries clean from all dirt and corrosion.
4. Batteries should not be discharged to the point of no longer being able to power the tug. Keeping the
batteries fully charged will greatly reduce the risk of a dead battery when you need it most.
5. Batteries should be brought up to a full charge at the earliest opportunity using the built in 24V battery
charger with reverse polarity protection and float mode. The battery charger should be left on when the tug
is parked to maintain proper charging and maintenance of batteries at all times. Keeping the batteries fully
charged will reduce the risk of freezing in cold temperatures.
6. Avoid charging the batteries when the ambient temperature exceeds 120oF.
7. Periodic battery testing is an important preventative maintenance procedure. Hydrometer readings of each
cell while fully charged gives an indication of balance and the true charge level. Imbalance could mean the
need for equalizing, and is also a sign of potentially improper charging or a bad cell. Voltage tests (open
circuit, charged or discharged) can identify a bad or weak battery. Load testing will identify a bad battery
when other methods fail. A weak battery will cause premature failure of a companion battery.
8. Extreme temperatures can substantially affect battery performance and charging. Cold temperatures
reduce battery capacity and retard charging. Heat increases water usage resulting in overcharging.
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Assembly Instructions
Note: It is recommended to have two people available for installing the handle to the frame. Following
that, it is easy for one person to complete the assembly in a short period of time.
In addition to the tug and the the handle, the following parts are included in the box with the
necessary fasteners:
1. one (1) Aircraft Nose-Wheel Attachment,
2. one (1) Handle “U” Bolt,
3. Zip Ties
Step 1: HANDLE Slide the handle through the “U” bolt (take care
while sliding the wires through as well) (leave the nuts loose for
now to allow the handle to slide into the “U” bolt). Insert second U
bolt as shown
Tighten the “U” bolt nuts (4) securely under the tug frame (9/16”
socket).
Step 2: WIRING The wires from the handle are designed to
only be attached the correct way:
The wires from the handle need to be connected to the following
wires:
a. The Blue Bullet needs to be mated with the Bullet coming
from the brake on the transmission
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b. Connect the yellow Fuse Holder with its
mate coming from the battery box
c. Connect the Plug to the controller - note
the position of the notch in the plug
Step 3: Prior to the first use, plug the charger cable into a 110V outlet or extension cord and charge
the batteries fully as indicated by the green light at the top of the charger. The orange light indicates
batteries are charging. Keep the battery charger plugged in between use. See the battery charger
manual for more information.
Winch Operation
1. Ensure the strap is always over the top of the winch wheel. If you notice it on the bottom - pull the
strap all the way out and wind it back in so the strap is positioned over the top of the winch wheel.
2. When loading an aircraft, press the lock lever towards the handle and frame to the down position
and pull the strap out towards the front of the tug. You should hear the winch clicking throughout
this action.
3. Connect the strut strap around the nose gear or the “J” hook (if purchased as an option) - connect
to the hook at the end of the strap. Position the winch lever to the straight up position (locked) and
load the aircraft onto the tug cranking the winch handle clockwise. You are now ready to move the
aircraft.
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Plug goes to J2 position

1. Hold the NFE-4 Attachment so the tubes are on
the bottom and the sliding tube is on the right side.
Carefully, place around cowling.
2a. Line up the left side of the attachment first and
gently move attachment to the right so the left side is
fully engaged.
2b. Now push the right side moveable tube IN until it
clicks into place.
3. Gently lay the attachment on the ground.
4a. Position the NFE-4 Airtug® up to the the aircraft nose wheel with the
ramp centered on the wheel and stop.
4b. Lower the ramp onto white rollers. (Close the valve and pump the jack
handle for “up” operation and open the valve to lower the platform)
5. Connect the winch hook to the NFE-4 Attachment.
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ATTACHING THE NFE-6
TO THE AIRCRAFT
Sliding Tube
Sliding Tube Open
Sliding Tube Closed
Valve & Jack Handles

6. Make sure the winch is in the locked position and winch the aircraft
onto the tug platform - ensure the nose-wheel / cowling is aligned with the
tug.
7. Tighten the winch until the NFE-4 attachment is secured into the
backstop.
8a. Raise the ramp so it is an inch or two off the ground (Close the valve
and pump the jack handle for “up” operation and open the valve to lower the
platform)
8b. Ensure the winch is still tight.
The tug is now ready to move the aircraft!
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Valve & Jack Handles

1a. Chock the aircraft wheels for safety.
1b. Lower the ramp onto the white rollers. (Open the valve to lower the
platform)
2. Disengage the winch and slowly back the tug away from the aircraft.
The nose wheel should gently roll off the platform onto the ground.
3. Continue moving the tug backwards to allow enough room to detach
the NFE-4 Attachment from the nose-wheel.
4. Pull the plunger pin on the right side to allow the tube to slide open.
5. Carefully remove the NFE-4 Attachment.
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DETACHING THE NFE-6
FROM THE AIRCRAFT
Valve & Jack Handles

NFE-4 Assembly & Operating Instructions / 1-7-18
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AIRTUG®, LLC,
1350 CHESTER INDUSTRIAL PKWY,
AVON, OH 44011
1-216-941-9781
[email protected]
WWW.AIRTUG.COM