Everything you need to know about Electric Tugs from MasterMover
What is an Electric Tug?
Electric Tugs, which are also referred to as electric tows, electric pushers, pedestrian tugs, electric tuggers, tow tugs, powered tugs, electric tow tractors and load movers, are battery-powered machines that are specifically designed to move heavy loads. This usually involves the transportation of raw materials, high-value equipment and other items within industrial environments.
How Do Electric Tugs Work?
These machines work by securely connecting to the wheeled load that needs to be moved. They are pedestrian operated typically but can also be used remotely with a wireless transmitter, which offers benefits such as the operator being able to move away from the load and take up an ideal vantage point.
Connection is possible to a wide range of items and long trains such as trailers, carts, dollies, or large platforms carrying loads, to make movement easy and efficient. Hydraulic systems are often used to maximise connection and load security. Autonomous Electric Tugs also form part of the MasterMover range, and they work by using sensors to detect hazards, and navigation systems to manage movement between locations.
What’s the difference between an Electric Tug and a Forklift?
A forklift truck is a well-known piece of equipment for moving loads, but is designed to lift and move packets and pallets, not pull or push wheeled loads. This is where pedestrian tugs – or more technologically advanced options – come in, moving loads at larger sizes and weights.
When Would You Need an Electric Tug?
Tow tugs or electric tow tractors, and models that push a load, are used for a variety of tasks. They are perfect for indoor or outdoor use (if designed to the relevant standard) and can be used for a variety of applications.
Common applications include moving heavy wheeled loads in a factory or warehouse setting, moving heavy products and large pieces of equipment. Just a few examples of applications include:
Industrial manufacturing – to move heavy and/or large products, parts, or equipment
Retail sector and logistics – to move roll cages, trolleys, and other platforms
Waste handling – to move waste bins, including up and down slopes
Other industries – an electric tug is ideal for moving luggage trolleys at airports, but they apply to any application where something heavy is on wheels and needs to be moved!
Electric tugs can be used with remote controls and feature AGV capabilities, which are ideal for performing reliable and consistent movements commonly required in factory or production settings.
Why Would You Use an Electric Tug?
An electric tug can be incredibly useful for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you need to move a large object and don’t have the equipment to do so in a safe manner. In this case, such a solution can be a game-changer. Using an electric tug to move heavy wheeled loads can drive operational efficiency whilst improving health and safety. Electric tugs help to reduce the risk of injuries associated with manual handling of heavy loads which requires physical effort from an operator, like Muscular Skeletal Disorders (MSDs).
They are available in different sizes and configurations to meet the needs of different applications. Whether moving heavy loads around a warehouse or factory, relatively short distances or further, these machines provide a safe, efficient solution due to their ability to increase productivity, and reduce injuries and physical stress.
Additionally, if you’re working in a tight space, these machines are highly compact and offer precision movement, both through manual operation but also through line-following technology options.
They do not require a license to use, so anyone with training can operate the machines.
Discover how the MasterMover product can your business improve efficiency and drive productivity all with a simple push and pull!