10 Questions You Should to Know about Electric Tow Tractor

03, Mar. 2025

 

Electric Tugger FAQs | Common Asked Questions - MasterMover

Electric tuggers are a type of battery-powered material handling equipment that allows a single pedestrian operator to move heavy loads on wheels without any physical effort.

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They provide a safe and highly efficient way to maneuver heavy-wheeled loads in a controlled manner. MasterMover's extensive range of tow tugs enables the safe movement of loads up to 154,000 lbs. with a single machine and even up to 793,000 lbs using multiple machines. 

MasterMover boasts an extensive range of machines designed to improve the handling of heavy-wheeled loads.  

The SmartMover range is the perfect manual handling solution for moving loads weighing up to 4,400 lbs. With a compact machine footprint and a range of secure coupling options, the SmartMover range is often used to mechanize the movement of loads previously handled manually ' reducing the risk of injury.  

For loads weighing up to 44,000 lbs., our MasterTug and MasterTow range delivers powerful performance and enables a single operator to easily move loads on castors or rails.  

While all ranges can handle common floor conditions within industrial environments and outdoor use, our AllTerrain range is specifically designed to work in the most challenging of environments.  

For the movement of trailers, our Trailer Moving System offers a compact trailer moving solution, enabling unladen trailers of 44,000 lbs. to be moved with complete confidence.  

In addition to our range of standard pedestrian-operated electric tuggers, we offer a range of technology options for customers looking to further amplify electric tuggers' efficiency and safety benefits with future-proof technology. Many of our electric tuggers are available with remote control operation for improved visibility or as fully autonomous AGV solutions to maximize efficiency.  

Whichever electric tug you select, you'll benefit from improved safety and efficiency within your operations.

Electric tuggers offer a safer way to move heavy-wheeled loads that were previously carried out manually or by using traditional material handling equipment such as forklift trucks or tow tractors.

Our electric tuggers boast an impressive range of standard safety features to ensure that the operator is always in control. Features include an emergency stop button, an anti-crush system that activates immediately if the user's body comes into contact with it and a sensor that automatically cuts off the power when the tiller arm returns to vertical ' preventing accidental operation. 

Machines also feature a warning horn and a self-adjusting castor guard that prevents the risk of foot trapping.  

Further safety options are available such as a two-speed selector switch to suit your operating environment and a flashing safety light and motion bleeper. 

Can electric tuggers stop a load? Your electric tugger is physically connected to your load so when the tugger stops, the load stops.

Each machine has several braking mechanisms that ensure it is safe to use in every eventuality. The operator can simply release the controls, and the load will come to a halt.

An emergency stop button can be manually pressed if needed; otherwise, it is automatically activated when the tiller arm is returned to its vertical home position (i.e. you cannot use the machine with the tiller arm in a vertical position). 

No, you do not need a license to use an electric tugger. This is one of the many reasons industrial manufacturers are increasingly opting for electric tuggers to create an environment without forklifts.  

With an electric tugger, you no longer need to wait for the availability of a licensed forklift truck driver to move a load.

Likewise, with no operator license required, you can seamlessly integrate electric tugs into your processes, whether that's to eliminate manual handling or reduce reliance on traditional handling equipment.  

Products manufactured and sold in Europe are required by law to comply with CE standards.

Outside of the EU, CE marking does not hold any authority, although many countries respect the strict conditions a product must meet to be CE marked, thus confirming the product is safe to use.

All MasterMover products are CE marked so they meet EU health, safety and environmental requirements.

Your company can incorporate a MasterMover tug safe in the knowledge that it conforms to all appropriate legislation. 

Rolling resistance is the force resisting the motion when an object rolls on a surface and is an important consideration when it comes to electric tuggers.  

Rolling resistance can be affected by a number of variables including:

  • Load weight  
  • Slopes
  • Floor (Material, type, and condition)
  • Castor wheels (Material, diameter, quantity, orientation, condition)

All of these variables play a role in determining the rolling resistance of an application and in turn, the total force needed to move a load from an electric tugger. 

For example, steel castors running on rails have a very low rolling resistance which means less force is required to start the load moving and stop it. 

Rolling resistance plays a vital role in determining an electric tugerg or tow solution, so it must be considered.  

The higher the rolling resistance, the more power is needed from an electric tugger to start the load moving.  

For more Electric Tow Tractorinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

We use information on your environment, movement and castors to calculate the estimated rolling resistance and in turn, the force required to move and slow down your load. This enables us to specify a suitably powered electric tugger or tow to mobilize your load. 

Different machine ranges use different coupling systems and your MasterMover representative will ensure that any coupling is right for your requirements. However, here is a basic explanation of the common coupling types and how they connect to your load:

Clamp ' Our SmartMover range uses a clamp-style coupling that clamps onto the frame of your cart to connect directly to loads. Where a direct connection can't be made, adaptors can be bolted onto your carts.  

CombiCoupling ' Available on our MasterTug range, this utilizes a male coupling mounted on the tug and a female coupling that is fitted onto your cart. The male and female connect using hydraulics to create a secure connection to your load.  

Pin & Ball hitches ' Used across our MasterTow range, pin couplings enable the quick and easy connection to loads fitted with drawbars. Ball hitches are also available.  

Custom Couplings ' Where a standard coupling isn't suitable, we can work with you to create custom couplings. Whether that is to connect to an existing system on your cart or a solution to work with various different trolley designs, our team can advise on the right solution.

Electric tuggers are designed to move loads on wheels or rails.  

For maximum maneuverability and control, it's recommended that your cart should have 2 x swivel castors at the front and 2 x fixed (or directionally locked at straight) castors at the rear.

All-swivel castor loads can be mobilized by using our MasterHandler range, which provides a fixed point to help stabilise a load. Alternatively large, awkward loads can be mobilized using a two-tugger system that enables operators to work in tangent to pivot a load on its axis, resulting in maximum maneuverability.  

Specifying an electric tugger that is fit for purpose and will deliver tangible safety and efficiency benefits right out of the box is critical to us. An array of factors influences the specification, performance and price of an electric tugger and we need to understand them to ensure any solution is right for your application.

Collecting information and conducting a full assessment of your application prevents any issues in installation or performance.  

Yes, all MasterMover machines will work on slopes. The maximum angle our tuggers are capable of clearing, on average, is 8°.

It is more important to remember that for every degree of slope involved, the maximum load capacity of the machine is reduced, just as pushing a car on the level requires less force than on a slope.

Therefore, if the weight of the load is already close to the maximum capacity of the machine a more powerful tugger may be needed to move the load on a slope. 

Our electric tuggers will work on a range of floor surfaces. Electric tuggers are often required to work on common industrial floor materials such as painted concrete, tarmac, epoxy and rough concrete. 

Similar to inclines, the maximum load capacity of a machine is affected by the floor surface. For example, it requires a greater force to move a load on a tarmac floor than it does on a smooth concrete floor. 

All of our machines can be used outside and/or in wet conditions, with some electric tuggers designed specifically to be used in those conditions. The All Terrain range of electric tuggers is particularly suitable for rough or challenging floor surfaces.  

Operating outside normally means the machines have to work on tarmac or uneven concrete and deal with slopes, all of which inevitably affect the maximum load weight of a particular machine.  

Our Stainless Steel Range includes machines with higher Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, making them ideal for use in food processing, pharmaceutical and chemical applications.

When we're assessing which electric tugger best suits your application, we work on a worst-case scenario to ensure any electric tugger specified is up to the job.  

Yes, we offer custom couplings. Where a standard solution isn't suitable, we will work with you to assess if a customized coupling can be designed.

Situations where this often arises are where you may have a high quantity of carts that can't be modified, no obvious connection point, or where there are space restraints on your cart.   

Our electric tuggers come with a 12-month warranty as standard. The tugger chassis and metalwork are also covered by a five-year structural warranty.

We offer an extended major component warranty on all our machines for up to five years ' this means that you only pay for consumables and damage.

Our extended warranty includes comprehensive cover against sudden mechanical or electrical failure of all factory-fitted components on your electric tugger. 

Service intervals for electric tuggers depend largely on how often they are used. We offer two service packages that include 2 services per year for low to medium usage and 4 for high usage.

To ensure your machine is always in good working order, we suggest you pick the right frequency of service for your usage rates.  

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Truck, trailer, tractor towing questions confused | OrangeTractorTalks

Not sure if this is the right place. I have a L I would be interested in towing it about 20 miles away also incase I need service etc. Will a Chevy pickup work to tow the tractor with attachments? Just a tiller and some lighter soil implements maybe the BH77 backhoe. What size trailer would I need etc? Can it be towed with just a normal ball hitch setup? Or do you need a fifth wheel setup? Do I need a more heavy duty truck?
Other question I have is what is the proper way to secure the tractor to a trailer that doesn't damage anything?

I like to do things the right way vs the half assed way. Biggest thing is get the proper trailer. I suggest at least a 10k rating with brakes on both axles. 20' with dove tail will work very nice with that size machine.

Yes a will work but remember to be careful because it will probably be maxed out.

Get a hitch and ball rated for the weight. I have a hitch from Northern tool that's rated for 20k and 2k tongue weight. I looked and found a 2" ball rated for 10k.

If you plan to haul a lot you may want to think of a 3/4 ton and a gooseneck trailer. The truck itself will handle pulling better and gooseneck trailers are much smoother and safer. If this is a every once in a while haul you should be okay. If it's a daily haul a bigger truck and trailer would be a nice upgrade.

Securing the load. There will be different opinions on that. Chains and binders are the strongest but big ratchet straps are a method of choice for many. Might want to check your local regulations before you make that decision. Hope this helped. Don't know how many implements you will be trying to haul at once, but at lbs (no loader or implements) a 7k trailer should be well within specs. That said, I towed my l with loader for years on a 7k trailer and it was hard service on the trailer. I should have gone with a 10k trailer, which also are generally equipped with the heavy duty ramps. The standard 7k landscape trailer will usually come with the light duty mower tailgate that will not support your machine without jumping through hoops.
As far as the truck is concerned, does it have factory towing? Look up the specs, but your will likely handle it. I personally use (4) 3k ratcheting web straps, but as has been mentioned, you may wish to look into the legal requirements. I don't profess to know the securing requirements for non commercial loads (if there is even a difference) but I suspect some loads require chains and tighteners.
My ideal setup for towing a tractor is a 10k trailer, factory tow options (integrated brake controller) and a 3/4 T minimum truck. I am shopping for the trailer now to complete my setup. My response does not deal with your question re trailers but may give you another option.
I drive my tractor 19 miles to my cottage to do work. The time is a bit over and hour and 15 minutes. I try and pick a time when traffic will not be too heavy and it works out well. I used to do it with an old Nuffield 465 but now have an M.
Also there are people around who will move machinery on their trailers for a modest amount of cash.
Getting your own trailer with brakes and keeping it maintained so it is ready to go when you need it is a not insignificant expense plus others will be asking to borrow it
Dave m I have a B with an FEL and Woods 7.5ft backhoe and tow it with a dual axle (9,900lbs per axle rating, 19,800lbs total) MidAtlantic deck over 20ft trailer (16ft flat, 4ft dove tail). Trailer also has electric brakes. I think the trailer weighs 2,200lbs. Trailer cost $3,500 new here in NH many years ago, and I saw far less capable trailers selling for over $6,000. Search and you will find a good trailer.

I had a Ford F250 and towed it with 10,000lb solid hitch that went into the factory towing frame on the F250 which was rated for 10,000lbs.

I use 4 5/16" chains and 4 ratcheting binders with the chains connected to hooks on the FEL and steel loops on the backhoe frame.

Since then I have bought a Ford F150 eco-boost that has a tow rating of 11,800lbs and it handles the trailer just fine. I love the auto downshifting when going down hills and the built in anti-sway control.

One thing I did learn with my old F250, if you do not use the load leveling trailer hitch (which I usually do not) you must make sure you load is not putting too much tongue weight on the hitch or it will affect your steering badly if your trailer starts pushing you down hill.
I ... tow it with a dual axle (9,900lbs per axle rating, 19,800lbs total) MidAtlantic deck over 20ft trailer (16ft flat, 4ft dove tail). Trailer also has electric brakes. I think the trailer weighs 2,200lbs. Trailer cost $3,500 new ....
Please post a picture or three of this trailer. I'm really curious how a 2,200 lb trailer can be built so strong. Load Range E tires are over loaded at much less than 9,900 per axle so you either have magic tires or dually axles for a total of 8 tires. I've never seen a tandem dually trailer weigh anywhere close to 2,200 lbs. Last one I looked at weighs over 5K empty and cost 10 grand. You need a Class A CDL to pull it!
Please post a picture or three of this trailer. I'm really curious how a 2,200 lb trailer can be built so strong. Load Range E tires are over loaded at much less than 9,900 per axle so you either have magic tires or dually axles for a total of 8 tires. I've never seen a tandem dually trailer weigh anywhere close to 2,200 lbs. Last one I looked at weighs over 5K empty and cost 10 grand. You need a Class A CDL to pull it!
I stand corrected! I was going off of memory and I guess I am not remembering things as well as I used to, or somehow I got confused with other figures, apologies.

Anyway I went back to my old purchase receipts and tried to read the DOT sticker on the trailer and from what I can see the DOT sticker says front axle load is 5,000LBS and rear axle load is 5,200LBS. Gross weight is 9,000LBS and from notes from the seller the trailer weight is 2,800LBS. Cost was $3,500 for trailer and $221 for toolbox in front. I looked for pictures and I never took any in all the years I have had it. So I took a couple today but we got snow yesterday so the pictures are not great...

Funny thing is the application for title says GVW is 8,000LBS but the DOT sticker and bill of sale says 9,000LBS. I guess I should call the manufacturer to find out which is correct.

Thanks for posting the questions as now I know the correct information. I guess now I should determine if this trailer is adequate for by B with FEL and Woods BH750 backhoe...

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I have a L which weighs more than your and I have a 20' trailer that has a dovetail dual 5,200 lbs axles with brakes on both of them. I pull the tractor with loader, rotary cutter and more all at the same time with a chevy with a 5.3 engine and factory towing package. It handles it but my next truck will be a chevy .

If yours does not have the factory towing package make sure the right stuff is installed. There's all kinds of hitch's and stuff out there and they are not the same. This also applies to the ball you use, shank size makes a diff. also. Go as heavy duty as you can to avoid problems later.