The Difference Between An Electric Tug & Electric Tow Tug

What is a tow tug?

Unlike tugs, which utilise a weight transfer system to generate traction, an electric tow ultimately uses its own weight to gain traction and get loads moving. For many people, electric tows are a more recognisable solution as they typically encompass a simple plug-and-play design that uses traditional towing couplings to connect (such as drawbars, tow pins, and ball hitches).  

Applications, where tows are often more suitable, are for pulling applications or where the movement requires extensive use in outdoor conditions. That’s why our tows are designed with unique All-Terrain tyres, perfectly suited for use in demanding conditions, to deliver consistent traction on less-than-perfect floor conditions.  

Electric tow tug applications

Electric tows are often preferred for applications with existing trolley and drawbar set-ups, or where the application was historically carried out 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 tug 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 trolleys, 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.