What is an Aircraft Towbar?

A towbar connects a towing car, a special vehicle used to tow an aircraft, to the aircraft, and is one of the ground support equipment used to move around the airport without using the aircraft's power. The mechanism is designed to prevent damage to the aircraft when overloaded.
In addition, there are some difficulties with towbars made by overseas manufacturers recommended by aircraft manufacturers, such as ease of use and after-sales service support, and we will explain here how to proceed with the introduction and consideration.

Aircraft can also be towed without a towbar. A vehicle called a towbar-less towing car is used to tow the aircraft directly, holding the front wheels of the aircraft by the rear of the vehicle.

The towing speed with a towbar is 15 km/h, while towbarless can achieve up to 30 km/h.
However, since towbarless takes longer to connect and release aircraft, it is used for different purposes.

Common Aircraft Towbar Installation Challenges

1. Regarding the purchase of a towbar, there are towbars recommended by the aircraft manufacturer, but they may not be appropriate in terms of operability and specifications
2.  Some Japanese staff find it very difficult to use the towbar recommended by aircraft manufacturers because it is a foreign product and is designed for foreigner's body shape and strength.

Key Points for Aircraft Towbar Selection

Considered weight balance

Since towbars are attached to aircraft and towing vehicles by holding one end with the tire at the fulcrum, it is important to design a weight-balanced towbar that can be easily manipulated.

Is the manufacturer able to easily arrange for shear bolts?

Shear bolts act as a safety device to prevent damage to the aircraft.
Therefore, if a new arrangement takes a long time to be delivered, the towbar may not be used.

For Horiguchi's Original Spec Aircraft Towbar

Development of transport-friendly, divisible towbars

Basically, a towbar is a single piece of pipe or square pipe, but since towbars longer than 5 m are difficult to transport, we have developed our own towbars that can be divided.

Consideration of tires during transportation

When transporting the cargo to various airports by air, changing specifications to non-puncture tires is often considered because of the risk of tires bursting due to changes in air pressure with inflated tires.

Selection of parts that take care of airport road surfaces

Other companies' products have steel plates called skids welded to both ends of the tow bar, which may damage the road surface if the tow bar should come off the towing tractor.
Our towbar uses a caster type to prevent damage to the road surface in the event of contact with the road surface. (We can also manufacture skid type towbars upon customer request.)

Wheel chokes for safety measures

Wheel chokes are mounted to prevent them from moving even when agitated by strong winds, etc. Special holders and chains are used for safety measures and to prevent loss of the chokes.

Devices to increase visibility in large airports

We will paint them in the color you desire.
Since each airline company is represented at the airport, and each company has its own tober, it is necessary to distinguish them at a glance so as not to confuse them.
We also attach marking stickers so you can determine from a distance which model of tober you can pull.

After-sales service made possible by our factory near the airport

We deliver our products to airline companies that serve Narita and Haneda airports, and our customers transport our products to all parts of the country. Therefore, having a factory near the airport allows us to respond quickly when repairs are needed.

These are just a few examples, but we will plan, produce, and deliver products that take into account necessary considerations such as usage and storage methods and customization to suit them.

Reference: Our Aircraft Towbar Accomplishments

※Deliveries to the Ministry of Defense are not included above.