BHT-412-MM-2

CHAPTER 9 TOWING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph
Number

Chapter/Section
Number

Title

Page
Number

TOWING
9-1
9-2
9-3
9-4
9-5

Towing ...........................................................................................
Towing Preparation ..............................................................
Ground Handling Wheels Installation...................................
Towing Helicopter .....................................................................
Ground Handling Wheels Removal......................................

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3
3
3
4
4

FIGURES
Figure
Number
9-1
9-2

Page
Number

Title
Tow Bar and Ground Handling Wheels Installation........................................
Crosstube Strap Installation ...........................................................................

5
7

TABLES
Table
Number
9-1
9-2

Page
Number

Title
Gross Weight Requiring Strapping .....................................................................
Aft Crosstube Pretension Values ........................................................................

30 MAR 2007

Rev. 11

6
6

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BHT-412-MM-2

TOWING
9-1.

TOWING

NOTE
Ground handling wheels (2, Figure 9-1) can
be installed with fixed pin (3) facing either
forward or aft. Also, ground handling
wheels can be installed with fixed pin facing
forward on one side of helicopter and fixed
pin facing aft on opposite side of helicopter.
Helicopter loading (center of gravity)
dictates position in which ground handling
wheels should be installed. When ground
handling wheels are lowered, they should
be on or near helicopter center of gravity. If
helicopter center of gravity is aft, install
both ground handling wheels with fixed pins
facing forward.

NOTE
When towing the helicopter over the
weights indicated in Table 9-1 Gross
Weight Requiring Strapping, refer to
BHT-412-SI-58.
NOTE
Puller
assembly
contained
in
BHT-412-SI-58 is equipped with a load
limiter similar to a break click type torque
wrench. When using this puller assembly
and especially when using alternate
methods of strapping, review the draw-up
limits of Table 9-2 Aft Crosstube Pretension
Values.
9-2.

1. Position ground handling wheels (2, Figure 9-1)

over skid tube (8).

TOWING PREPARATION
2.

Insert fixed pin (3) in eyebolt (9).

SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED

NUMBER

NOMENCLATURE

T101808-101

Tow Bar

3. Align cradle assembly (5) with eyebolt (7) and

fully insert spring-loaded pin (6) through cradle
assembly and eyebolt to install ground handling
wheels (2).

1. Refer to Chapter 52 for installation requirements

for access doors, panels, fairings, and covers for
towing.
2.

4. Install ground handling wheels (2) on opposite

skid tube (8) in the same manner.

Tie down main rotor blades (Chapter 10).

CAUTION

3. Attach tow bar (1, Figure 9-1) to skid gear tow

ring and tractor pintle hook. Install safety pin in pintle
hook.
9-3.

GROUND
HANDLING
INSTALLATION

WHEELS

SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED

NUMBER

NOMENCLATURE

214-706-104-107
(or equivalent)

Ground Handling
Wheels

D O N O T L E AV E H E L I C O P T E R
U N AT T E N D E D
WITH
GROUND
HANDL ING WHE ELS IN E XTENDE D
POSITION.

5. Station a person at tailskid to maintain helicopter

in level position.
6. Operate handle (4) to extend ground handling
wheels (2) and raise skid gear clear of ground.
7.

Disconnect ground wire.

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BHT-412-MM-2
9-4.

TOWING HELICOPTER

HANGAR TRACKS, ETC., EXCEEDING

GROSS WEIGHTS SHOWN IN TABLE 9-1
MAY CAUSE A PERMANENT SET IN AFT
C R O S S T U B E . I N A N E M E R G E N C Y,
HELICOPTER MAY BE TOWED UP TO
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT OF 9500
POUNDS BY STRAPPING CROSSTUBES
TOGETHER. REFER TO FIGURE 9-2.

SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED

NUMBER

NOMENCLATURE

T101261-101

Droop Restraint Tube

Assembly

WARNING
TOWING HELICOPTER WITH BLADES
FOLDED SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED
WITH MAIN ROTOR DROOP RESTRAINT
T U B E A S S E M B LY ( T 1 0 1 2 6 1 - 1 0 1 )
I N S TA L L E D
OR
WITH
BELL
HELICOPTER APPROVED EQUIVALENT.

WARNING
D O N O T S TA R T E N G I N E P O W E R
SECTION(S) WITH CROSSTUBES
STRAPPED.

CAUTION
TOWING
HELICOPT ER
ON
UNPREPARED SURFACES OR ACROSS

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Rev. 11 30 MAR 2007

1. Station a person at tail skid to maintain helicopter

in level position during towing operations.
2. Clear towing area of auxiliary support equipment
(work stands, power units, etc).
3. Tow or push slowly, balancing helicopter with tail
skid.
9-5.

1.

GROUND
REMOVAL

HANDLING

WHEELS

Attach ground wire to helicopter.

2. Retract ground handling wheels (2, Figure 9-1)

individually to lower helicopter to skid tube (8) by
turning pump valve "T" handle.
3. Pull spring-loaded pin (6) to release cradle
assembly (5) from skid tube (8).
4. Move ground handling wheels (2) aft (or forward
as applicable) to disengage fixed pin (3) from eyebolt.
Remove ground handling wheels from skid tube (8).

BHT-412-MM-2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Tow bar
Ground handling wheels
Fixed pin
Handle
Cradle assembly
Spring-loaded pin
Eyebolt
Skid tube
Eyebolt

Figure 9-1. Tow Bar and Ground Handling Wheels Installation

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BHT-412-MM-2

Table 9-1. Gross Weight Requiring Strapping

GEAR TYPE

AFT CROSSTUBE

TUBE DIA X WALL

(INCHES)

STRAP AT:
GROSS WEIGHT
(POUNDS)

STD

BHT crosstubes and

subsequent approved
replacements

3.5 X 0.625

9100

HIGH

BHT crosstubes and

subsequent approved
replacements

3.5 X 0.625

8900

Table 9-2. Aft Crosstube Pretension Values

COLUMN 1
GEAR TYPE

AFT CROSSTUBE

DIA X WALL
(INCHES)

DRAW-UP
(INCHES)

COLUMN 2
LIMITING
DRAW-UP

STD

BHT crosstubes and

subsequent approved
replacements

3.5 X 0.625

3.5

102 inches
between
skid tube

HIGH

BHT crosstubes and

subsequent approved
replacements

3.5 X 0.625

6.5

112.5
inches
between
skid tube

NOTES:
1

Do not draw up beyond limits in Column 2.

Based on a 3/8 draw-up cable.

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Rev. 11 30 MAR 2007

BHT-412-MM-2

Figure 9-2. Crosstube Strap Installation

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Rev. 11

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