Electric Towing Tractor vs Electric Tug

Choosing between electric tugs & electric towing tractors

The market for material handling equipment includes a wide range of products, machines, and systems, which can make finding the right solution difficult – especially when manufacturers push solutions not designed for the intended application.

Understanding the different options on the market is critical to making the right decisions for your business. Even though we specialise in manufacturing best-in-class electric tugs, we want you to select the right material handling solution for you – whether that’s an electric tug, an electric towing tractor or something like a forklift truck.

In this blog we'll cover a comprehensive comparison of the following:

1. What are towing tractors?
2. Different types of tow tractor
3. Typical applications of towing tractors
4. Benefits of an electric towing tractor
5. What are electric tugs?
6. Different types of electric tugs
7. Typical applications of electric tugs
8. Benefits of electric tugs
9. Pedestrian electric tugs vs tow tractors – Pros & Cons

Typical applications of an electric tow tractor

Towing tractors are often found in logistics, distribution and manufacturing environments.

They’re most commonly used for towing multiple loads or trains on a "milk run" over long distances. Milk runs are a route where a driver picks up and delivers multiple loads to different locations, often using a tow tractor.

Other applications where you’ll find more heavy-duty towing tractors include the large machines used to tow heavy baggage carts at airports.

Benefits of electric tow tractors

Electric tow tractors have been around for over three decades, during which time, factories, depots and warehouses have relied on them to mobilise tow trains and tow trolleys in milk-run transfers. Here are some of the key benefits of a tow tug tractor: 

•    Can travel over long distances, often at speed 
•    Remove manual handling 
•    Increase efficiency 
•    Flexible delivery of goods and items 
•    Move multiple loads at one time 

Different types of electric tugs

Typical applications of electric tugs 

Electric tugs are used in various environments, from industrial manufacturing to biopharmaceutical processing. Often, they’re used to remove manual handling in the movement of heavy loads or reduce reliance on traditional handling equipment such as forklift trucks or overhead cranes. Within manufacturing environments, electric tugs are often used to transport parts to the production line, mobilise heavy sub-assemblies or precisely position loads. 

Pedestrian electric tugs vs ride-on tow tractors