What's it called?

[zed]

I was talking to someone about this and explain it, but was having difficulty finding the right words... So what's it called?

Its a vehicle cut in half, fitted with a lift (hydraulic I think) for lifting float planes off the ramp and moving them around a dock area. The vehicle just sort of balances in the lift arms up front. Strange thing as it really only had 2 main wheels. Probably had a third at least, but it was like the front end of some early 80s gas guzzler with the back end sliced clean off. Also I guess are these garage jobs, or is there someone out there modifying these things to order?

[HS-748 2A]

The first ones were made from Oldsmobile Toranados, just because of their hefty wieght and front wheel drive.

One of my buddies bought a real old one from Vancouver somewhere a couple years ago and fixed it up. I think it was one of Harbour Air's originals or probably pre-dates Harbour Air; maybe West Coast, I don't know.

The 'cockpit' is a custom job with no vestiges of the original Olds' body.

He uses it for his personal float operation and calls it "the Bat-Mobile"..

'48

[iflyforpie]

They're called 'float dollies'.

Quite a few of them around, and most use a GM FWD luxury car (Olds Toronado, Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado) because of the high power of the V8, front wheel drive, and low overall height (many wind up being convertibles, ours thankfully wasn't). There was no 'third wheel' on any I saw.

I've seen them use 4x4 trucks as well (locking the hubs and running power through the transfer case, once known as 4x4) but you need to either make them longer, or only use them from the front of the aircraft.

Sure are fun to drive though. In Penticton, we had to go across the highway, miss all the light standards, and then power through the sand, all with something that has reverse sense steering...

[zed]

Ahhh. "Float dollies" Thanks.

The photo is exactly how I remember it working.

[Vx.]

In BC most people refer to them as "Beaching Gear".

[DHC2_in_ak]

We call our "the gator".

[Highflyinpilot]

This "thing" just balances itself on 2 wheels?????? Obviousliy there has to be a couple wheels on the steel lift fram or it would topple over.

I have never seen this nor heard of it, mind you I was never in the bush flying industry, definetly lokks cool though.

[Rowdy]

This "thing" just balances itself on 2 wheels?????? Obviousliy there has to be a couple wheels on the steel lift fram or it would topple over.

I have never seen this nor heard of it, mind you I was never in the bush flying industry, definetly lokks cool though.

There are wheels on the dolly portion as well. Theres a Jeep and an olds at YVR..