Electric tow bar for aircraft
Robotow 2.0 powered tow bar kit
The Robotow 2.0 kit is an electric tow bar, a hand-held tug for your airplane: the frame with a high-torque, brushless 18 volt motor, a Milwaukee M18 battery, the charger and the adapter for your nose gear. 23.5 lb standard, 27.25 lb Pro, without the battery. Kits from $2,669; Pro and premium-adapter kits $2,869.
Be sure it fits.
The kit is built around your nose gear, so we ask first.
30-Day Guarantee
Not Satisfied? Return it within 30 days of delivery for a refund, includes shipping and no restocking fee. How returns work
Rather order by phone? 419-331-0371Mon to Fri, 8:00 to 4:30 ET
What do you fly?
In the box
What comes in the box
- The Robotow 2.0 unit, on its stand.
- The Milwaukee M18 battery and the charger.
- The adapter for your airplane, in its own labeled bag.
- The instructions, and the Allen wrench for the adapter connections. Read them now: Robotow 2.0, Robotow 2.0 Pro, Dolly Wheel 2.0.
Your kit's exact contents and part numbers show in the buy box once you pick your airplane.
What it does, and where it stops. Robotow drives your nose tire with a knurled steel drum while you walk at the nose wheel and steer. On ice or packed snow the drum can slip or ice over. With a wheel pant on the nose wheel, it does not fit until the pant comes off. 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.
Read it before you buy
What it does, and where it stops.
We would rather you know the limits now than find them on your ramp. The same words run on every page that sells a Robotow.
From the manual
How to use it
-
Check for power first.
Pull the trigger with the drum off the tire. Against the tire it can take rubber.
-
Lean on it.
Keep firm down pressure so the drum stays in contact. Do not be afraid to push down firmly.
-
Door tracks and rails.
Cross at a slight angle, one main tire at a time.
-
Cold day.
Run the unit free for 30 to 60 seconds so the battery warms up.
From the Robotow 2.0 instructions, revised August 2026.
The 2.0
What is new in the 2.0.
- Motor
- 18 volt
- High-torque and brushless. Runs on Milwaukee M18 batteries.
- Standard frame
- 23.5 lb
- Straight T-handle.
- Pro frame
- 27.25 lb
- Folds, with a carry handle.
- Dolly Wheel 2.0
- 13.55 lb
- Carries the drive end while you line up.
Weights without the battery.
Pro frame
The Pro frame, open and folded.
Pull the release pin and it folds to 35.75 inches, with a carry handle. 27.25 lb without the battery.
Robotow 2.0 · What it has moved
-
Beechcraft Baron · About 5 percent grade 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. Aircraft Dynamics test. -
Cessna 310RG · Hangar lip Over a hangar lip, on the Pro frame. Lima, Ohio, August 2026. Aircraft Dynamics test.
The fit list
Every airplane we have checked
55 fit, 21 we confirm by photo, 9 do not fit. Type your airplane at the top of the page for the full answer, including any question about your gear.
Every airplane we have checked
| Airplane | Answer | Adapter | Frame | Kit from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero Commander 500 / 560 / 680 twins | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Any aircraft on an Airglas nose wheel | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with usAirglas nose wheel, on wheels (not skis)? We ask this first. | Airglas Adapter 6170 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Beechcraft Duchess 76 | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Beechcraft Musketeer / Sport | Confirm with us | Beech Sierra/Sundowner Adapter 6473 | SF | Call |
| Beechcraft Baron | Fits | Beech 1 Adapter 6201 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Bonanza | Fits | Beech 1 Adapter 6201 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Debonair | Fits | Beech 1 Adapter 6201 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Duke | Fits | Beech 1 Adapter 6201 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Model 18 (tri-gear) | FitsTricycle-gear conversion? We ask this first. | Beech 2 Adapter 6202 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Queen Air | Fits | Beech 2 Adapter 6202 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Sierra | Fits with the SF frame, confirm with us | Beech Sierra/Sundowner Adapter 6473 | SF | $2,869 |
| Beechcraft Sundowner | Fits with the SF frame, confirm with usWheel pants on? We ask this first. | Beech Sierra/Sundowner Adapter 6473 | SF | $2,869 |
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor | Fits | Beech 1 Adapter 6201 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Travel Air | Fits | Beech 1 Adapter 6201 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Beechcraft Twin Bonanza | Fits | Beech 2 Adapter 6202 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Bellanca Viking / Super Viking | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Camair / Riley Twin Navion conversions | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Cessna 150 | FitsWheel pants on? We ask this first. | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 152 | Confirm with us | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | Call |
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk | FitsWheel pants on? We ask this first. | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 172RG Cutlass RG | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Cessna 175 Skylark | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Cessna 177 Cardinal / 177RG | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Cessna 182 Skylane | FitsFixed gear or retractable? And is the nose wheel pant on? We ask this first. | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 182RG Skylane RG | Fits | Cessna 5 Adapter 6255 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| Cessna 205 / 207 | Confirm with us | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | Call |
| Cessna 206 Stationair | FitsWheel pants on? We ask this first. | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 208 Caravan | Fits208 or 208B Grand Caravan? We ask this first. | Cessna Caravan Adapter 6280 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| Cessna 210 Centurion | Fits | Cessna 5 Adapter 6255 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| Cessna 303 Crusader | Fits | Cessna 4 Adapter 6206 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| Cessna 310 | FitsWhich 310? We ask this first. | Cessna 1 Adapter 6203 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 310R | FitsWhich 310? We ask this first. | Cessna 2 Adapter 6204 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 337 Skymaster | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Cessna 340 | Fits | Cessna 2 Adapter 6204 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 401 | Fits | Cessna 2 Adapter 6204 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 402 | Confirm with us | Cessna 2 Adapter 6204 | Standard or Pro | Call |
| Cessna 414 Chancellor | Fits | Cessna 2 Adapter 6204 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna 421 Golden Eagle | Fits | Cessna 2 Adapter 6204 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Cessna / Columbia TTx / Corvalis / Columbia 350-400 | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | Cirrus Vision SF50 Adapter 6476 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 700 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 850 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 900 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 910 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 930 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 940 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 960 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Daher TBM 980 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | SOCATA TBM 700-980 Series Adapter 6490 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Diamond DA20 / DA40 / DA42 | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Epic E1000 GX | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| GippsAero GA8 Airvan | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Glasair | Fits with the SF frame, confirm with usTri-gear or taildragger? We ask this first. | Glasair Adapter 6460 | SF | $2,869 |
| Lake LA-4 / Buccaneer / Renegade | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Lancair | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with usTri-gear or taildragger? We ask this first. | Lancair Adapter 6165 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Mooney | Fits with the SF frame, confirm with us | Mooney Adapter 6405 | SF | $2,869 |
| Navion | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with us | Navion Adapter 6209 | Pro | $2,869 |
| Aerostar 600 / 601 / 602P | Does not fitListed as a no-fit. | None | None | None |
| Cessna 208B Grand Caravan | Does not fitIts nose wheel is too large for the drive drum. | None | None | None |
| Cirrus SR20 / SR22 / SR22T | Does not fitCirrus pistons fly with a nose wheel fairing, so the drum cannot reach the tire. The Vision Jet (SF50) is covered. | None | None | None |
| Piper Arrow | Does not fitListed as a no-fit. | None | None | None |
| Piper Malibu / Mirage / Meridian / M-Class | Does not fitListed as a no-fit. | None | None | None |
| Piper Seneca | Does not fitListed as a no-fit. | None | None | None |
| Aircraft on skis | Does not fitThe Robotow does not move skis. | None | None | None |
| Taildragger / tailwheel aircraft | Does not fitThe Robotow is not designed to move tail-dragging aircraft. | None | None | None |
| Aircraft with wheel pants or a nose fairing on | Does not fitThe drive drum has to touch the nose tire. If the pants come off, it may fit. | None | None | None |
| North American T-28A Trojan | Fits | T-28 Trainer Adapter 6218 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| North American T-28B Trojan | Fits | T-28 Trainer Adapter 6218 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| North American T-28C Trojan | Fits | T-28 Trainer Adapter 6218 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| Piper Apache | Fits | Piper 1 Adapter 6207 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Aztec | Fits | Piper 1 Adapter 6207 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Cherokee | FitsWheel pants on? We ask this first. | Piper 2 Adapter 6208 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Colt | Fits | Piper 2 Adapter 6208 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Comanche | Fits | Piper 1 Adapter 6207 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Navajo | Fits | Piper 1 Adapter 6207 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Saratoga / Lance / Cherokee Six | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Piper Tomahawk | FitsWheel pants on? We ask this first. | Piper 2 Adapter 6208 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Tri-Pacer | Fits | Piper 2 Adapter 6208 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Twin Comanche | Fits | Piper 1 Adapter 6207 | Standard or Pro | $2,669 |
| Piper Warrior / Archer / Dakota | Confirm with us | Piper 2 Adapter 6208 | Standard or Pro | Call |
| Rockwell Commander 112 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with usDoes your Commander's nose gear have the hook fitting or tow pins? We ask this first. | Commander 112/114 Adapter, hook style 6247H | Pro | $2,869 |
| Rockwell Commander 114 | Fits with the Pro frame, confirm with usDoes your Commander's nose gear have the hook fitting or tow pins? We ask this first. | Commander 112/114 Adapter, hook style 6247H | Pro | $2,869 |
| SOCATA TB 20 Trinidad | Fits | SOCATA Trinidad Adapter 6287 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| SOCATA TB 21 Trinidad TC | Fits | SOCATA Trinidad Adapter 6287 | Standard or Pro | $2,869 |
| SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB9 Tampico | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
| Zenith CH 750 STOL | Confirm with us | None | None | Call |
Not on the list? That is not a no. Send two photos of your nose gear and we will tell you straight.
From owners of earlier Robotows
What owners of earlier Robotows say
The 2.0 is new. Owners of the models before it have written about theirs on the pilot forums for years. What comes up most: it takes the push out of the incline and the hangar lip, the hookup takes a few tries to learn, and it can slip on a wet or icy ramp.
Read what they wrote on Pilots of America and MooneySpace. Reviews of the 2.0 go here, by airplane, as they come in.
Who makes it
Aircraft Dynamics, Lima, Ohio. One family since 1962.
Robotow has been in commerce since 1962. Max and Carter Jones, the third generation, developed the 2.0 with the Aircraft Dynamics team. 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.
Before you buy
Straight answers
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.
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.
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.
More answers (10)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Still have a question? A person answers.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern
Not sure it fits?
Tell us what you fly. If we have not checked it yet, two photos of the nose gear are all we need.
Talk to the people who build it.
419-331-0371Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern
We would rather answer the question now than ship the wrong adapter.