Best Tugs Echo 12, User Manual

Page 1: ...Echo USER MANUAL 12 18 Best Tugs Because Your Plane Deserves It ...

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Page 3: ...nd workmanship of your tug exceeds your expectations and are confident that you will see the difference in every part of your Best Tugs experience We designed this guide to provide you the information needed to make your experience even better and while we are confident that this guide will answer your questions we are always here to chat with you on the phone You can reach us at 800 914 2003 Than...

Page 4: ... tors The factory default code is 8181 Notice the two icons at the top right of the touch screen The icon with three bars will let you navigate to the sub menus The yellow warning is only present when reporting a fault if you en counter a fault please check trouble Press Accept to start the tug Warning You must correctly select the LOAD upper right the tug will be handling The load indicator bar o...

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Page 6: ... Stop on the end of the control panel clockwise and stepping on the footswitch 4 To operate someone must be on the tug and depressing the safety master switch on the floorboard 5 Press accept Slowly ease the direction speed control found to the right of the steering wheel towards you to carefully back the tug out of the crate 6 Continue reading for further instructions on how to operate your tug s...

Page 7: ...irection speed control Make sure you are comfortable with the throttle maneuverability and functionality of the tug before moving your plane INITIAL USE Please familiarize yourself with how long it takes for your plane to ramp up down and stop that coast when slowing is due to the software that protects your nose gear from unnecessary damage and stress Take the time to get used to this feature and...

Page 8: ...gainst the nose gear FIG 8 The less slop and wiggle the better Once the slide is fitting snugly release the drop pin and continue twisting until it falls into place to lock the slide See FIG 10 and FIG 11 Setting Up the Wheel Chock The wheel chock drops into the loading tray between the two brackets Line up the holes on the RGA to the holes on the bracket in the loading tray and insert the pin Mak...

Page 9: ... sure the tug is in line with the plane Chock the aircraft mains 2 Crank the winch handle slightly to release stress on winch direction selector switch to unload neutral 3 Select PULL on the control panel and slowly drive tug away from aircraft See BestTugs com for instructional videos on loading Standard Ramp Operation Switching from Wheel Chock to QLF Pull the long pin and remove the wheel chock...

Page 10: ...ainst the back of the Cage Note this is a safety feature to prevent the tug from releasing while you are pulling your tug Loading Make sure the ramp is down If it is not in the down position select Unload Down and manually lower the ramp Drive the tug under your wheel When your plane is loaded correctly the ramp automatically locks into the upright and locked position Unloading Select Unload Down ...

Page 11: ...he tugs or the aircraft s batteries JumpStart Boost Press the silver button to the right of the JumpStart JumpStart panel and the tug gives you thirty minutes from the time you pushed the button with over 28 Volts from the GPU and all those amps from the batter ies providing power to the plane The disadvantage of using only the JumpStart option is that you are us ing the tugs batteries that discha...

Page 12: ...ions apply The Lazy Susan option needs to have the central bolt tightened and moving parts lubed with lightweight oil annually It is found centered under the Lazy Susan Failure to maintain this may cause the failure of the bearing ring Loosen the locking nut and tighten the central nut until tight but not so tight that the Lazy Susan cannot rotate Re tighten the locking nut after you have complete...

Page 13: ...systems When working around any battery powered system proper safety precautions should be taken These include but are not limited to proper training wear ing eye protection and avoiding loose clothing and jewelry Use the following cleaning pro cedure for routine maintenance Never use a high pressure wash er to clean the interior 1 Remove power by discon necting the battery 2 Discharge the motor c...

Page 14: ... the state of charge which is why the percentage fluctuates while moving your plane We have seen as low as a 10 charge displayed when using a fresh battery and moving a heavy plane To read the resting battery s charge leave the tug at rest for at least 60 seconds We have seen a 10 drop from freshly charged just by moving the tug in and out of the hanger The discharge rate is non linear If you noti...

Page 15: ...tching circuits they are lightweight and designed to protect themselves against reverse polarity connection They also have an annoying feature of not charging if the battery s voltage is below some arbitrary value If you left the tug on and it no longer charges a cheap 12 volt car charger with a volt meter is your best option to try and restore the battery Note Most local battery automotive stores...

Page 16: ...the limitations of your specific aircraft Moving Your Plane Tips Tricks and Warnings Always use wheel chocks when loading and unload ing your plane CAUTION The winch handle rotates quickly as your plane unloads from the tug keep hands clear FIG 15 Leave the slack left from unloading the plane unspooled this leaves the attachment strap ready to be attached for your next flight Anchor your hand agai...

Page 17: ...cradle so that it properly cradles your tire and tight en Note these bolts are only hand tightened from the factory Adjust the side plates to cen ter your tire and tighten Use a 3 16 allen wrench Using a metric size may damage the tug Exceeding the tug parameters creates situations where the locking hook or Lazy Susan locking pin may not engage or disengage Carefully jogging the tug back and forth...

Page 18: ...possible solutions 1 The tug will turn off the computer after 20 minutes of inactivity To reset the computer turn the tug s e stop switch off for three seconds and then back on 2 Make sure the red E Stop is not pushed in The tug will not turn on unless E Stop has been twisted out and someone is stepping of the foot switch I started to move my plane but my tug stopped a light is flash ing See fault...

Page 19: ...arameters The steeper the grade the more energy it takes to move your plane it is as if the plane s load parameter increased The transmission s gears have a special hardened surface a one time event that exceeds the tug s parameters can degrade that surface Rough surfaces such as grass can increase the rolling resistance of your tires The lower your tire pressure the larger the tire s contact patc...

Page 20: ... and exchange your tug for the appropriate model We have a 30 day exchange policy you only pay for the price difference and freight Did we mention that you need to chock your mains E12 Load Duty Cycle Degree 6 250 9 375 12 500 0 0 100 100 100 0 5 100 91 68 1 0 100 67 N A 1 5 79 52 N A 2 0 65 N A N A 2 5 55 N A N A 3 0 N A N A N A E18 Load Duty Cycle Degree 9 000 13 500 18 000 0 0 100 100 100 0 5 1...

Page 21: ...into the tug Warning Sparks can occur during con nection Read your aircraft Pilots Operating Handbook to ensure the JumpStart is within the specs required by your aircraft Continuous Ground Pow er Unit GPU at 28 VDC 56 Amps max Input 100 240Vac 20 Amp Use for Avionics up dates simulation practice Read aircraft Pilots Operating Hand book to ensure the GPU is with in the specs required by your aircr...

Page 22: ... panel Lazy Susan 16 or 18 Cap tures the tire in a cradle Can lock or unlock and rotate the cradle from the control panel Trailer Attachment Allows you pull trailers using a standard ball hitch Under Glow LED accent lights Depending on the select ed options you have an on off switch or remote control Note Under glow only functions when the tug is on XL Extends the length of your Echo by 2 feet the...

Page 23: ...or application nor does it extend to Best Tugs parts which have been repaired or altered outside of Best Tugs provided maintenance of an authorized service representative Furthermore any modification of Best Tugs electrical system MUST be pre approved and documented in writing by Best Tugs Failure to do so voids the unit s electrical component warranty Best Tugs parts which have been repaired or a...

Page 24: ...252 West 3560 North Spanish Fork UT 84660 Release Date April 22 2020 Contact us at support besttugs com or call 1 800 914 2003 Sales Ext 2 Support Ext 3 Best Aviation Products ...