Electric tuggers have become a common piece of equipment in logistics. And for some businesses, they have supplemented or even replaced the forklift. If you’re interested in learning more about the electric tugger, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll go over what an electric tugger is, how it works, what benefits it offers, different types of electric tuggers, and more.
What Is an Electric Tugger?
An electric tugger, also known as an electric tugger cart, motorized tugger, or battery-powered tugger, is a machine that helps move heavy loads such as raw materials or equipment.
The electric tugger is used in retail and logistics, industrial manufacturing, waste handling, and other industries.
It falls under the material-handling equipment category, which also includes forklifts, cranes, and pallet jacks (among other things), and comes in many different sizes and configurations.
How Do Electric Tuggers Work?
Electric tuggers connect to a load via a steel coupling that attaches itself to a corresponding coupling on a cart, trailer, or platform that carries the load. Multiple loads can be connected in a chain to form a locomotive that the tugger can pull. Think of an electric tugger pulling a chain of shopping carts, for example.
Sometimes, the electric tugger uses a hydraulic system to transfer some of the weight of the load onto itself and thereby gain more traction. Electric tuggers also rely on smooth surfaces to decrease rolling resistance on its wheels.
Typically, a pedestrian operator controls the tugger, but some can be controlled via remote control or complete automation as well.
Automated tuggers are a great tool to have on hand in your material handling environment. Discover how automation can enhance your overall warehouse operations today.
What Are the Benefits of Electric Tuggers?
Using a tugger has many benefits for your warehouse operations, including:
Increased Safety
An electric tugger helps reduce the risk of worker injuries. When workers don’t have to carry things manually, they are less likely to get hurt (e.g. by pulling a muscle in their back). Motorized tuggers also have many safety features, including emergency stop buttons, an automatic cut-off function when the tiller arm is raised, and a warning horn for ensuring safe traffic lanes. In many cases, tuggers can also be safer than forklifts, which were the source of 78 work-related deaths and 7,290 nonfatal injuries involving days away from work in 2020.
Improved Efficiency
Electric tuggers can maneuver tight spaces and provide precision movement. Plus, they are much more compact than comparable forklifts. These qualities make motorized tuggers highly efficient and capable of increasing productivity in a variety of industrial environments.
Environmentally Friendly
Because they use battery power instead of gas, battery-powered tuggers generate zero emissions. As a result, they can help you lower your business’s carbon footprint to become more sustainable and help fight the climate crisis.
Automation Features
Electric tuggers can be operated manually as well as automatically. For example, you can program them to follow routine paths so that you don’t need to have a pedestrian operator manning them each time. This can help boost your business’s productivity.
Cost Effectiveness
Electric tuggers are highly versatile. They can be used in multiple settings for multiple applications. Whether you need to move small loads or large ones, motorized tuggers can get the job done. This allows you to own fewer machines overall and lower your logistical equipment costs.
Easy to Learn
Unlike some logistical equipment like aerial lifts, you don’t need a special license to operate a tugger. Once you have one, your workers can start operating it from day one because they are easy to learn.
High Load Capacities
Some tugger models can pull loads of up to 792,000 lbs. If your business has heavy materials or equipment that need to be moved from time to time, the right electric tugger may have the power to do it.
Types of Electric Tuggers
Battery-powered tuggers come in three main types:
- Compact electric tuggers (for loads up to 13,200 lbs)
- Performance electric tuggers (for loads up to 66,000 lbs)
- Performance plus electric tuggers (for loads up to 792,000 lbs)
The type of electric tugger you should get will depend on your business’s needs. Find a list of all the different MasterMover tugger models we offer at HTX Material Handling.
For a full list of what we have available, please contact us. We’re happy to help you find the right high-quality tugger that fits your needs.
Choosing the Right Electric Tugger
Determining which type of tugger is best for your warehouse or material handling environment doesn’t need to be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you determine which will work best for your operations.
- Determine your needs. The first step is to determine what you need the electric tugger for. Do you just need to move shopping carts? Or do you need to move heavy loads of mechanical equipment? Whatever it is, find out what kind of load capacity you need your tugger to handle.
- Shop around online. With a type of electric tugger in mind, shop around online. You’ll find a variety of tuggers from different brands and suppliers.
- Compare models and prices. Eventually, you’ll want to narrow your choice down to a specific electric tugger model. From there, you can compare prices from different suppliers and stores.
- Read ratings and reviews. Lastly, be sure to read reviews and ratings of the electric tugger as well as whatever store or supplier you are buying from. This will provide valuable insight into the quality of the product and service.
At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. Do your due diligence and you’ll be able to find the right electric tugger for you in no time. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions!