Tow Bar Maintenance Basic Training Basic Maintenance Training

Tow Bar Maintenance Basic Training

Basic Maintenance Training Q This brief presentation covers the servicing requirements for maintaining Aircraft Tow Bars. Q Firstly we will cover the components which make up the Tow Bar. Q Documentation and frequency of checks. Q The checks which have to be carried out. Q How often we need to check the Tow Bars. Q Specific things to check for. Q The Tow Bar shown is a B 747 -400 Tow Bar. The principle of checking Tow Bars is the same. It is only the head that is different. Q If in doubt ASK!

The Importance of Correct Tow Bar Maintenance The Tow Bar is the “Link” between Aircraft and Tow Tractor, if it should fail during Towing or Push Back operation, Severe damage can occur to aircraft and or Tow Tractor, or injury or even fatalities to personnel. It is therefore imperative that Tow Bar Maintenance is carried out regularly and Efficiently. Remember it is cheaper to replace a shear bolt than an Aircraft nose gear!

The Components of the Tow Bar Tow Head, attached to aircraft nose gear Hydraulic hand pump Undercarriage & lifting Gear Tow Eye to connects to Tractor Main body of Tow Bar A 320 Towbar shown here

Tow Bar Features QTow eye to connects to tractor. QTow head to connects to aircraft. QShear pins on tow head to protect aircraft. QSafety lock to prevent inadvertent uncoupling of aircraft. QUndercarriage for towing tow bar. QIncluding lifting mechanism in many cases.

Maintenance Procedures Preventative maintenance must be carried out on a weekly basis and shall include the following: ü Inspection. ü Servicing. ü Record keeping. üFor Each Service üA complete record for each tow bar

The Tow Bar An Example of a typical Tow Bar, in this case a B 747 -400 unit

Components: Tow Eye Check hole for distortion Check these bolts for tightness Check Tow Eye for general condition (Cracks, damage etc. ) The Tow Eye is at the front of the Tow Bar, which is connected to the Aircraft Tug

Components: Undercarriage Check: 1. Undercarriage for damage. 2. Operation. Tow Bar Undercarriage

Components: Lifting Mechanism Check: Hand pump Lift cylinder 1. Hand pump and lift cylinder for operation and leaks. 2. Springs for condition and security. Return Springs Lifting mechanism with two basic components, a hydraulic hand pump and a lift cylinder

Components: Wheels Check: 1. Wheels and tyres for condition. 2. Security of wheels on axles. 3. Pneumatic tyres for inflation The wheels on the Tow Bar are either solid rubber or Pneumatic.

Components: Tow Bar Head Locking mechanism Shear Pins (4 in the case of the B 747) Check: 1. Locking mechanism for operation. 2. Mechanism for damages. 3. Check Shear pins for visible damage. 4. Check shear pins for rotation. (If pins do not rotate, they have to be replaced. The type of Tow Bar head varies from Aircraft to Aircraft, a B 747 -400 head is shown. All Tow Bars do have: 1. Shear pins/bolts 2. Locks when tow bar is attached to aircraft.

Example of Tow Bar Maintenance Check Sheet Tow Bar Details Inspections to be carried out Servicing Operational Checks Spares used Sign off

Documentation QAll work carried out on Tow Bars has to be accurately documented. QAll services are to be carried out per instructions as laid out per Maintenance schedule. QA comprehensive record of all services, and repairs is to be kept for each tow bar. QTow Bars have to be serviced on a weekly basis.

Examples of damaged shear bolts Damaged shear bolt which must be replaced, it will not rotate This shear bolt is u/s, it is about to shear off as shown This bolt sheared here