Thanks for the reply Awblain, I have found a document on the web which relates to the weights on the ground of the wheels on 737s (say -700s.)
which seem to suggest the front wheel takes a
max of 8000 kg at a distance of about 12m from the wheels. Compared with 10m to the rear exit.....
But it also goes on to say that it is dependant upon the CofG (baggage load + fuel etc) of between 10 to 35 % MAC. For the most rearward CofG (35% MAC) then only 6% of the weight of the aircraft is on the front wheel i.e about 3600kg. This would only need about 22 displaced pax to lift it.... If my calcs are correct...
The web doc...
http://www.boeing.com/assets/pdf/com...ps/737sec7.pdf
See Sect 7.4.8 pp 449
(looks like this post has been moved to 'Ground and other Ops Forum')