How to Choose Electric Tow Tractor?

09, Jun. 2025

 

Electric Tow Tractor vs Electric Tugger: Which to buy - MasterMover

Choosing between electric tugs & electric towing tractors

The market for material handling equipment includes a wide range of products, machines, and systems, which can make finding the right solution difficult – especially when manufacturers push solutions not designed for the intended application.

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Understanding the different options on the market is critical to making the right decisions for your business. Even though we specialize in manufacturing best-in-class electric tugs, we want you to select the right material handling solution for you – whether that’s an electric tugger, an electric towing tractor or something like a forklift truck.

In this blog we'll cover a comprehensive comparison of the following:

  1. What are towing tractors?
  2. Different types of tow tractor
  3. Typical applications of towing tractors
  4. Benefits of an electric towing tractor
  5. What are electric tugs?
  6. Different types of electric tugs
  7. Typical applications of electric tugs
  8. Benefits of electric tugs
  9. Pedestrian electric tugs vs tow tractors – Pros & Cons

Typical applications of an electric tow tractor

Towing tractors are often found in logistics, distribution and manufacturing environments.

They’re most commonly used for towing multiple loads or trains on a "milk run" over long distances. Milk runs are a route where a driver picks up and delivers multiple loads to different locations, often using a tow tractor.

Other applications where you’ll find more heavy-duty towing tractors include the large machines used to tow heavy baggage carts at airports.

Benefits of electric tow tractors

Electric tow tractors have been around for over three decades, during which time, factories, depots and warehouses have relied on them to mobilize tow trains and tow carts in milk-run transfers. Here are some of the key benefits of a tow tug tractor: 

•    Can travel over long distances, often at speed 
•    Remove manual handling 
•    Increase efficiency 
•    Flexible delivery of goods and items 
•    Move multiple loads at one time 

Typical applications of electric tuggers 

Electric tugs are used in various environments, from industrial manufacturing to biopharmaceutical processing. Often, they’re used to remove manual handling in the movement of heavy loads or reduce reliance on traditional handling equipment such as forklift trucks or overhead cranes. Within manufacturing environments, electric tugs are often used to transport parts to the production line, mobilize heavy sub-assemblies or precisely position loads. 

How to Choose the Best Tow Tractor or Burden Carrier

Material handling operations need more than just forklifts to get the job done. In today’s post, we’ll look at different options for industrial tow vehicles such as burden carriers, tow tractors and other electric carts.

Electric Vs. Gas Industrial Vehicles


Due to growing concerns about noise and air pollution, most of the industrial tow vehicles and warehouse transportation vehicles on the market are electric. Electric tow tractors and burden carriers perform just as well as their LPG-equivalents but with lower maintenance and operating costs. However, we do carry some LPG tow tractors and a gas-powered burden carrier. 

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Burden Carriers

Burden carriers handle loads from 600lbs up to 17,500lbs depending on the model and can do double-duty as a utility truck depending on your needs. Other factors to consider when choosing a burden carrier besides hauling capacity include:

    • Will it be used indoors or outdoors?
    • The size of the flatbed
    • How many people might ride on it (1-6 depending on the model)
    • Do you need an on-board battery charger?
    • Does your operation have narrow aisles?


Narrow-aisle solutions
Burden carriers go where other industrial vehicles can’t. This Taylor-Dunn SC-100 is just under 30” wide and highly-maneuverable. It also comes equipped with a 4, 5 or 6 step ladder that allows the operator to pick materials from higher stock locations. 

Customer Favorites: Taylor-Dunn Big Foot and Big Foot XL  The Taylor-Dunn Big Foot 48v is one of our best-sellers. It has 3,000lb load capacity and 7,500lb tow capacity. Customers like the heavy-duty all gear drive train that ensures reliability and low maintenance costs. Oh yeah, and it has cup holders! 16mph 40mile range, built-in battery charger.

Taylor-Dunn’s Big Foot XL is a larger version of the Big Foot 48v. This model has an optional cab with lockable doors and a towing capacity of up to 10,000lbs. Both of these vehicles are great for schools and universities. 

Tow tractors

Simply put: tow tractors move more in less time. A tow vehicle allows a single employee to transport 3,000lbs of inventory or more (up to 12,000 for LPG models) without strain. The tractor pulls carts behind it like a train: for every cart added, that’s one less trip an employee has to make – increasing productivity. They’re ideal for beverage, manufacturing and general warehouse applications. 

Utility Trucks

The Electruck is an electric alternative to full-sized utility pickup trucks. The full-size deck provides over 147 cu. ft. of cargo space and can carry loads up to 1,500 pounds. Top speed is 18 mph with a 20+ mile range. Electrucks, like all Taylor-Dunn vehicles, can be customized with cargo boxes, tool cabinets, ladder racks, etc., to meet your operational needs.

Multi-purpose Electric Carts

Can’t decide or need a utility vehicle that can do all three things? The B-210 can be reconfigured to personnel carrier, burden carrier or tow vehicle in the field to meet your changing needs. It also includes an on-board automatic battery charger, dual headlights, taillights, and hydraulic brakes. 

Indoor-friendly Burden Carrier / Tow Tractor  Taylor-Dunn’s C-432 is a sit-down combination burden carrier/tow tractor. Only 30 inches wide, this compact truck is designed to clear narrow aisles and standard doorways. This battery-powered vehicle is ideal for moving loads over smooth floors in warehousing, hospitals, schools and other environments where quiet, fume-free operation is necessary.

At Total Industries we have a wide-selection of utility vehicles in-stock for material handling, transportation, tours, security and other applications. Non-marking tires are available on every unit. View our inventory of tow tractors, burden carriers and utility trucks.

Total Industries also has a rental fleet of Taylor-Dunn vehicles. Nicer weather means outdoor events like fairs, concerts, beer fests, and sporting events. Let us help with your special event needs. 

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