What is an electric tugger?
Electric tuggers, also known as an electric tow tugger, electric tuggers and powered tuggers, are battery-powered machines designed to move heavy loads such as raw materials, high-value equipment and other resources in an industrial environment, in or around a production line or process, or in sectors such as retail, logistics, waste handling and more.
Using them to move heavy-wheeled loads can drive operational efficiency while improving health and safety. Electric tuggers help to reduce the risk of injuries associated with manual handling of heavy loads which requires physical effort from an operator.
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.
Forklift Trucks & Other Equipment
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 tuggers – or more technologically advanced options – come in, moving loads at larger sizes and weights.
How Do Electric Tuggers 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 maximize connection and load security.
Generating Traction
Traction is fundamental to moving large loads or heavy weights. This is achieved often by ballast in the machine, to generate traction to the drive wheel. At GYPOT, many of our products use a patent-protected weight transfer principal, using the load to generate traction. As a result, GYPOT machines are highly compact compared to the load being moved.
Electric tow tuggers tend to pull a load using the weight of the machine to generate traction.
Rolling Resistance
The most important factor in achieving movement is Rolling Resistance. Operating on a flat terrain on a smooth, high-quality surface results in less resistance and therefore the push and pull force required is reduced.
Benefits of Battery Powered
An electric tugger works by using a series of electric motors to move the wheels of the vehicle. They are zero-emission at the point of use, making them ideal for use in manufacturing and logistics environments, as well as in industries like pharmaceutical which require a clean, sterile environment.