5 Benefits Of Electric Tugs
Material handling electric tugs
More companies are choosing to invest in alternative load moving solutions and unlocking the many benefits of using one of our electric tugs or tow tugs.
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1. Improve productivity
Let’s start with a basic outline of what an electric tug can do. It’s a versatile, compact machine that connects to a wheeled load and moves it. It’s that simple, and that effortless.
Which means that it can be a useful alternative to a forklift or overhead crane.
Rather than the constant stop and start of waiting for a trained forklift operator, a tug can connect and go. It doesn’t need hours of training to master and allows a single user to easily move even heavy and awkward loads of up to 70,000 kg and beyond.
Instead of multiple people moving a heavy load, just one person is needed – freeing up the time of employees to concentrate on other, more productive tasks.
2. Reduce manual handling
Just because speed is of the essence doesn’t mean staff safety needs to suffer. In fact, a key benefit of an electric tug is that it boosts efficiency AND reduces risk of handling accidents too.
How does it work? Rather than a person pushing and pulling a load into place, the tug takes the strain. If you need to move something heavy up and down slopes, that’s not a problem either. An electric tug securely attaches to the load, creating an unbreakable connection.
Not only does this reduce the risk of toppling and trapped limbs, it also minimises the potential for long term problems like musculoskeletal disorders.
It’s why an electric tug is a favourite in the retail, logistics and healthcare sectors. When there is a need to move roll cages and laundry cages, it’s an electric tug that’s the trusted solution.
3. Make the very best use of available space
Fixed infrastructure, such as a system of overhead cranes or pulleys and chains, means a fixed, static production process.
A MasterMover electric tug is more flexible. It allows production to scale down or up according to demand, as well as change layouts if needed.
For workplaces where space is tight – when other larger handling solutions may struggle to fit – an electric tug’s small footprint and superior manoeuvrability sets it ahead of other moving methods.
It has a small turning circle and can navigate around corners safely and easily. Which is why electric tugs and tow tugs can be often found in congested environments where there’s a high amount of footfall and space is limited.
The ultimate guide to electric tugs
Electric tug essentials
Looking to understand electric tugs in a little more detail?
We’ve compiled some helpful resources to get you started, covering everything from how they work, different types of batteries, getting the right connection point and more…
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What is an electric tug?
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Price guide
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Do you need a license?
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How electric tugs work
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Batteries & charging guide
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Couplings & connections
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Castor wheel explainer
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Tugs vs tows
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Frequently asked questions
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Why businesses use electric tugs
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Pedestrian operated vs remote control
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Automation & remote control options
4. Save money on handling equipment
Fixed equipment like overhead cranes or a system of pulleys and chains can’t easily be moved around without spending a lot. Similarly, investing in and maintaining a fleet of forklifts can be costly.
An electric tug comes at a fraction of the price – and all without the additional expense associated with training forklift truck operators. Tugs don’t cost much to maintain either, so it’s a load moving solution that continues to save money in the long term.
5. Environmental benefits of using an electric tug
Unlike alternative methods which may run on fuel, there are no harmful diesel fumes with a battery powered electric tug or tow tug. A MasterMover is flexible enough to be used inside and out and, because there are no harmful exhaust gases, no additional ventilation is required.
Low emission, low noise load moving methods are a win-win for everyone. Not only is this good for the environment, it’s great for staff too.
We're here to help
If you’re looking to improve safety, remove the risk of injury and unlock greater operational efficiency, we’re here to help. Speak to our team to discuss your application.
FAQs: Your questions, answered
Electric tugs help businesses improve productivity, reduce manual handling, work safely in tight spaces, reduce reliance on larger traditional handling equipment (such as forklift trucks and overhead cranes), and support lower-emission operations. They are designed to move heavy wheeled loads with precision and increased control, while reducing the physical effort required from operators.
An electric tug allows a single operator to move heavy and awkward loads quickly, without waiting for larger equipment and licensed operators, or multiple people to become available. This helps reduce delays and frees up more employees for other value-adding tasks.
Yes. Instead of staff pushing and pulling heavy loads by hand, the machine takes all of the strain. A secure connection to the load helps improve control, as well as reducing the risk of handling accidents and long-term strain associated with manual pushing/pulling.
Yes. One of the key advantages of an electric tug is its compact footprint and manoeuvrability. They are well suited to workplaces with corners, narrow aisles, foot traffic, or limited operating space where larger equipment may be less practical.
In many wheeled load moving applications, an electric tug can be a practical alternative to forklifts, overhead cranes, or fixed moving systems. The right choice depends on the load, route, floor conditions, and connection method, but electric tugs are often selected where flexibility, compact size and lower training requirements matter most.
Electric tugs can help reduce spending on more expensive moving methods, avoid costly layout changes linked to fixed infrastructure, and lower labour inefficiencies by allowing one operator to move loads safely and efficiently.
Battery-powered electric tugs can offer environmental benefits compared with fuel-powered alternatives because they do not produce diesel fumes during operation. They are also well suited to indoor use where low-emission handling methods are important.
Electric tugs are used across industrial manufacturing, logistics, retail and healthcare, particularly where businesses need to move heavy wheeled loads more safely and efficiently.