Electric tow tugs are a type of battery-powered industrial equipment designed to move heavy-wheeled loads in various environments, from retail to biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
As with any electrical equipment, electric tow tugs and their corresponding batteries and chargers are understandably a key area of interest to potential operators.
In this blog, we’ll cover the key questions when it comes to batteries, charging, and runtimes.
Like any battery, the battery life of an electric tug or electric tow is determined by usage, specification, and environmental factors.
Battery life can be influenced by variables such as:
While several factors influence battery life quite significantly, the below gives you an idea of the battery life for some of our electric tugs.
The battery life for electric tugs is quantified in kilometres to show the distances the units can travel on one charge.
To give you an idea about the battery life you can expect from an electric tug, we’ve included the battery life for some of our key models below.
The figures below are based on test conditions of:
| Machine | SM100+ | TOW300 | MT600+ | TOW1000 ES | MT1500+ | PS3000+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum load weight | 1,200kg | 3,000kg | 6,000kg | 10,000kg | 15,000kg | 30,000kg |
Battery pack capacity* | 22Ah | 73Ah | 102Ah | 204Ah | 179Ah | 120Ah† |
Distance* | 7.7km | 10.5km | 8.4km | 10.2km | 6.5km | 4.0km |
* Standard AGM battery
† 48v pack
Many machines within our product portfolio have multiple battery options ranging from standard maintenance-free AGM batteries, to upgraded performance batteries and lithium options.
Across the range, most machines have an interchangeable battery design that enables operators to interchange AGM battery packs for a 24/7 continuous operation. This involves having a spare battery charged and ready to go (Note: Lithium batteries are not interchangeable).
Lithium batteries are available on many models within our range for applications where charging can only take place in short, sharp bursts. Lithium batteries allow operators to charge the batteries for short periods (known as opportunity charging) and are a perfect solution for high-intensity operations.
Recharge times for standard AGM batteries are typically between 6-8 hours, with these timings based on recharging from 30% to 100% on standard batteries.
Alongside the benefit of opportunity charging, lithium batteries have significantly faster recharge times than lead-acid batteries, often this is between 1-4hrs.
Internal and external charger options* are available across the range for maximum flexibility. A MasterMover representative will always specify the appropriate battery and charger combination to maximise performance and ensure longevity.
(*Note: Lithium batteries are only available with external chargers.)
A question we’re often asked by our expansive export customer base about chargers is “will it come with the correct plug for my region?”. The answer is yes, we’ll provide the plug needed in your territory.
Charger sizes vary depending on the specification but, as a rule of thumb, electric tug chargers are about the same size as an A4 piece of paper.
Electric tugs are fitted with a Battery Discharge Indicator (BDI) which displays the charge level of the battery pack as a percentage. This gives operators a quick visual reference of the remaining battery life percentage along with 3 light indicators (green, yellow, and red).
When the battery needs charging, the BDI will display a yellow light, indicating that the battery should be charged as soon as possible. To maximise battery lifespan and performance, all batteries should be charged before the Battery Display Indicator shows 30% or less.
An optional Battery Protection System (BPS) is available to protect the battery from misuse and prevent battery damage.
On reaching a battery life of 40%, the machine will slow to just below 2kph, highlighting to operators that the equipment needs to be charged.
At a battery life of 35%, the machine will slow further to approximately 1kph, at which point the machine must be charged.
The BPS system protects the integrity of the battery by forcing operators to charge the machines at the correct battery interval and depth of discharge, protecting against battery misuse and damage.
With a range of machines available and different battery power options, our electric tow tugs are designed to ensure they are ready to get to work whenever they are needed. Whether you have an application requiring infrequent, occasional movements, or a high-usage environment, a battery-powered electric tug is a dependable solution.
If you have questions about battery life, specification, or charging, reach out to one of our experts.
