FAQ
Robotow questions, answered
Straight answers from the people who build the Robotow, on fit, wheel pants, batteries, weight, wet ramps, the warranty, returns and shipping. The first sentence of each answer is the short version. Questions about one kit or one adapter have their own answers on those pages, and a person answers the phone.
Fit
How does the Robotow work?
It drives your airplane's nose tire. An adapter made for your airplane holds the Robotow at the nose gear, a knurled drum turns the nose tire, and you walk at the nose wheel with both hands on the handle and steer the nose wheel yourself.
Is the Robotow a tow bar, a tug, or something else?
All three, really. Pilots call it a powered towbar, an electric tow bar, or a motorized tow bar, and some just say tug. Robotow is an aircraft tow bar with the motor built into the handle, so one person drives the nose tire instead of pulling a bar or paying a line crew.
Will the Robotow fit my airplane?
Check your airplane by name first: the fit finder gives you a fit answer before you see a price. The answer is Fits, Confirm with us, or Does not fit. For Confirm with us, call us or send two photos of the nose gear, and we'll tell you straight.
Does it work with wheel pants?
With a wheel pant on the nose wheel, it does not fit. The drum has to touch the nose tire. If the nose pant comes off, it may fit. Send two photos and we will tell you.
Does it fit a Cirrus SR22?
No. The Robotow does not fit the Cirrus SR20, SR22 or SR22T. The Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 fits, with its own adapter on the Pro frame.
Does it work on a taildragger?
No. The Robotow is not made for tailwheel airplanes, or for airplanes on skis.
Standard, Pro or SF: which frame do I need?
Your airplane decides, and the fit finder tells you. Every airplane that fits the standard 2.0 also fits the Pro. The short frame (SF) is the particular one: it is for the short-frame airplanes, such as the Mooney, the Beech Sierra and Sundowner, and the Glasair.
Battery and motor
What battery does it use?
Milwaukee M18 packs. Kits come with a Milwaukee M18 5Ah or 8Ah battery and a charger, and a 12Ah pack is sold separately. Any size M18 pack fits, so if you own M18 tools, the packs you already have fit.
How far does one battery go?
In one Aircraft Dynamics test, a Cessna 172N went about 2,000 feet on one 5Ah battery, on a flat taxiway in Roanoke, Texas, in May 2026. That is one test on one airplane, not a rating.
Do I need to buy a drill?
No. The motor is built in: a high-torque, brushless 18 volt motor. No drill to buy, and nothing to clamp on.
Weight and carrying
How much does the Robotow weigh?
23.5 lb for the standard frame and 27.25 lb for the Pro, without the battery. The Dolly Wheel 2.0 is 13.55 lb.
Can I carry it?
Yes. The Pro frame folds to 35.75 inches, and you pick it up by the carry handle: 27.25 lb without the battery. The Dolly Wheel 2.0 carries the drive end while you line up the hookup.
Wet ramps and limits
What has it moved?
These Aircraft Dynamics tests, each dated:
- A Beechcraft Baron at full fuel, up a twisting grade of about 5 percent, on a 94 degree day. Standard 2.0 frame. Marble Falls, Texas, April 2026.
- A Cessna 172N, about 2,000 feet on one 5Ah battery, flat taxiway, one test. Roanoke, Texas, May 2026.
- A Cessna 310RG over a hangar lip, on the Pro frame. Lima, Ohio, August 2026.
What about a wet ramp?
A Cessna 182 on a wet ramp at Sporty's, September 2026, with one person. That is one event, not a rating. On ice or packed snow the drum can slip or ice over.
Where does it stop?
On ice or packed snow the drum can slip or ice over. It does not move taildraggers or airplanes on skis, and with a pant on the nose wheel it does not fit.
Is there a slope or weight limit?
We don't publish a slope or weight limit: ramps, lips and airplanes vary too much for one number. Tell us yours and we'll tell you straight.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern
Warranty and returns
What is the warranty?
A one-year limited warranty on the Robotow unit, for the first owner, whether you bought it from us, from Sporty's or from Aircraft Spruce. If something fails, we pay the shipping both ways and the turnaround is about two business weeks. Batteries and chargers are Milwaukee parts and are not covered. The warranty page has the full terms.
How do I return a Robotow?
Start with the returns page: it explains how returns work and how to start one. Or call us, and we'll walk you through it.
Shipping
Where does it ship from?
It ships from Lima, Ohio.
What does shipping cost?
Flat rates in the lower 48: $65 for a kit, $15 for an adapter, battery or charger on its own, and $25 for the Dolly Wheel 2.0. Adapters, batteries and chargers added to a kit order ride in the kit's $65; the Dolly Wheel ships at its own $25. Checkout shows it before you pay. Hawaii and Alaska: call 419-331-0371 for a quote.
Can I order from outside the U.S.?
Call us and we'll quote it, with the terms in writing.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern
Owners of older Robotows
Does my old adapter fit the 2.0?
Your adapter fits the same frame style on the 2.0: straight handle to the standard frame, Pro to Pro, short frame to short frame. Not across frame styles.
Do my old batteries and charger work with the 2.0?
No. The 28VL and 24SL packs and chargers do not carry over. The 2.0 runs on Milwaukee M18 packs.
Where do I get parts or service for an older Robotow?
Call us with your model and what it's doing, and we'll tell you straight. Parts and batteries for the 28VL and 24SL are available while supplies last, and we can often find refurbished components, though we can't say for how long.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern
The company
Who makes the Robotow?
Aircraft Dynamics Corporation of Lima, Ohio. The 2.0 is designed, fabricated, assembled and tested in Lima, Ohio. We bend and weld the steel in our own shop, and every unit runs on our resistance test stand before it ships: forward and reverse at maximum power, against a nose tire. The Robotow entered commerce in 1962, the company is family owned, now in its third generation, and ROBOTOW is a registered trademark of Aircraft Dynamics Corporation.
Where can I see one in person?
At Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, in April 2027, and at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July 2027. Sporty's Pilot Shop and Aircraft Spruce also sell the Robotow. Or call us and tell us what you fly.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern
Still have a question? A person answers.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern