Why does it matter?
Finding the right solution in an ever-saturated material handling equipment market can feel daunting. Terms like ‘electric tugger’, ‘electric tow’, and even ‘tow tug’ are thrown around and often used interchangeably to describe the same piece of equipment by manufacturers. As a customer, how do you understand the difference?
We’ll lay out the differences between an ‘electric tugger’ and an ‘electric tow’ and explain why the two terms describe two different machine designs, designed for different jobs.
At the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the differences between the two, and a grasp on which machine style may best suit your application and needs.
Electric tow tug applications
Electric tows are often preferred for applications with existing cart and drawbar set-ups, or where the application was historically completed by machines such as ride-on-tow trucks. Our electric tows feature industry-standard coupling designs such as pin couplings and ball hitches which facilitate a plug-and-play solution to work with trolleys of corresponding design.
In the same way, we assess an application to understand if an electric tugger is suitable, and we carry out the same evaluation for electric tows. This focuses on understanding your movement, connection point, and environment to assess if an electric tow is the right fit for your application.
With a design predominantly focused on pulling (towing!) applications, electric tows typically have a greater ability to pull as opposed to pushing, despite having the same motor output. Don’t worry, electric tows can also push loads – but it’s important that pushing requirements are talked through with your chosen supplier to make sure the movements you need are feasible with a tow.
An example of where features such as heavy-duty pulling capacity, compact design, and universal connection points are highly sought after, is within the maintenance of aero engines (MRO). Industries like this typically have a high volume of carts, and dollies fitted with drawbars, meaning they require a machine that provides a universal connection point to their load – a perfect application for an electric tow.
Tugger vs tow tug – It isn’t just about load weight
As we’ve outlined above, tuggers and tows work in different ways and it’s important that you work with a supplier who can interpret your needs to provide the right solution – whether that’s a tugger or tow unit.
It’s important to recognize that ‘electric tuggers’ and ‘tow tugs’ aren’t interchangeable and finding the right solution isn’t just about the load weight or rated handling capacity. A tugger and a tow may both be rated to move a 44,000 lbs. load but, one machine will be the right solution for your application, and one won’t.
There are several variables and factors in your application that determine the right solution. At MasterMover, we’ll work with you to understand your application and recommend a machine that is fit for purpose.
So, whether you need to precisely position a chromatography column in a cleanroom suite, or tow kitting carts to lineside – you’re in safe hands with MasterMover.