A340 Tow Bars

[12 twists per inch]

I am handling an A340-300 in a few weeks time and need to know if a B767, A320 or VC10 towbar will fit.

Many thanks

[TURIN]

It may well fit but I doubt the shear pins will be the correct rating.

[hewlett]

Also find out diameter of a/c tow lug,they come in two sizes.Tried a 767 bar on 340 once and it was verrrry sloppy,ok with the appropriate head though.

[leewan]

A320 is definitely out of the question. A 767 would be very loose fitting, i guess. But then, as turin says, check the shear pins' rating. Aren't there any A330 towbars ?

[Jimmy Do Little]

If you have a "Towbarless" unit, that would certainly do the trick!

[12 twists per inch]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's given me something to go on. Having a towbarless unit would be heaven or even an A330 bar but we are pretty remote outfit. The only other towbar I have found is a B757.

What is the towing point on the A340 like? Does the towbar use pins coming out horizontally into the towing lugs or is it a 'bar' that is grabbed by the tow bar head?

Again thanks for any reply

**Just been asked the same question for handling a B777 - any answers greatly appreciated******

[jimpy1979uk]

The A340 tow bar attatchment point is of a bar type connection. Similar to an A320 but larger. Also there's a difference in tow bars for the A340-200/300s and A340-500/600s.

As for the 777 I think a 767 bar will work as long as its got the right shear pins fitted.

Jimpy

[Black Labradors MaTE]

This is a list of a/c that can all be towed with the same tow bar as they have common attachments - but as always its best practice to go with the AMM
707
727 (Beware of weight limitations)
737 (Depends on Mk)
757
DC8
IL62
A320
KC135
A130
A300

[leewan]

This is a list of a/c that can all be towed with the same tow bar as they have common attachments - but as always its best practice to go with the AMM
707
727 (Beware of weight limitations)
737 (Depends on Mk)
757
DC8
IL62
A320
KC135
A130
A300

AFAIK, B727 and A300 need a towbar with the pins coming out by the side to attach to the towing lug. Similiar to a 747. A320, B757 and B737 have the bar type connection. Never handled the rest. So, how can all the a/cs have common attachments ?

It's always best to use the towbar specified for that a/c but if you desperately need to push an a/c, try a towbar with a bar type attachment with an almost similiar width of the towing lug. B767, B757 and B777 would be close to a A340s towing lugs width. Everything else lies in the airtug driver's hands. He should push in such a way that does not have unnecessary jerks and uniform and small acceleration and braking. And make sure the towbars towing lug's safety lock is properly locked after the towbar is safely secured.

As i said earlier, i would never recommend this to anyone as it's highly unsafe. Only as a desperate emergency measure.

Another alternative is to loan an A340 towbar from a neighbouring MX operator or request the A340 operator you are handling to ship it in with the a/c itself. That's how the Russian An124s are pushed worldwide.

Strongly suggest the latter suggestions. Would not be responsible for any mishaps for following my former suggestions.

[j_davey]

AFAIK, B727 and A300 need a towbar with the pins coming out by the side to attach to the towing lug. Similiar to a 747. A320, B757 and B737 have the bar type connection. Never handled the rest. So, how can all the a/cs have common attachments ?

afaik, the A300 comes in two flavours, the B4 uses the pin type and the -600 uses the bar type.

-Jd

[pictues01]

All US Airways A320 family and B737 family can use the same towbar, however you can not use the same tow bar on a Mexicana A320 family as the US Airways 320's as the Mexicana ones use side pins and the US Airways use the bar which is the same size as a B737 bar. So even the A320 has different ways of attaching the tow bar based on the Airline. But at servisair YVR the same tow bar is used for A340, B767, L1011, and MD 11, and we also have a A340 only tow bar and A330 tow bar. So i believe the B767 tow bar should do fine

[TURIN]

Towbar we used this evening on a B777-300ER also had A340-200 and IL-96 painted on it's side if that helps.

[Swedish Steve]

But at servisair YVR the same tow bar is used for A340, B767, L1011, and MD 11, and we also have a A340 only tow bar and A330 tow bar. So i believe the B767 tow bar should do fine

We are allowed to use a B767 bar on a B777, but of course the shear pins are too weak so its straight push back only, no turns.

We also use a L1011/DC10 bar on an A330.

The shear pins are designed for the MTOW of the aircraft. As long as you bear this in mind then you can use most large bars on these aircraft. Try straight pushback, and no engine start until parked and you will be OK.