Comparing Airplane Tug Models: Key Features And Differences

Eagle Tugs has been designing and manufacturing aircraft tractors for over 45 years. We’ve instilled this experience into each and every one of our designs. While some repurpose baggage or cargo tractors to move aircraft, Eagle Tugs’ airplane tugs are specifically designed to transport aircraft. It’s why our simplistic airplane tug models are known around the world for their superior functionality and reliability.

So, which aircraft tractor is right for you? This is a complex question. But by knowing the various features and differences between Eagle Tugs’ airplane tug models, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision and purchase.

Start by choosing the general type of airplane tug you want — traditional or towbarless — and then determine which models meet your required towing capacity.

Traditional Airplane Tug Models

Our traditional airplane tug models utilize a towbar and are most efficient as a pushback tug when dealing with one aircraft type.

TT Series Aircraft Tugs

Tug Models: TT-4, TT-5, TT-6, TT-8, TT-10 and TT-12
Load Type: Light to super midsize business and regional jets
Towbar Type: Towbar
Powertrain: All-wheel drive (AWD)
Drawbar Pull: 4,000-12,000 lbf.
Towing Capacity: 55,000-130,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Diesel, gas or liquid petroleum
Suitable Weather Conditions: All surface conditions
Warranty: 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Special Features: The TT Series provides excellent traction, equal weight distribution and direct line of sight of the rear and front hitches.

eTT Series Electric Aircraft Tugs

Tug Models: ETT-8 and ETT-12
Load Type: Regular/large-cabin business jets and regional jets
Towbar Type: Towbar
Powertrain: AWD and four-wheel steer (4WS)
Drawbar Pull: 8,000-12,000 lbf.
Towing Capacity: 100,000-130,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Battery
Suitable Weather Conditions: All weather conditions
Warranty: 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Fun Fact: The zero-emission eTT Series tugs are the only 4WD, 4WS and 80V A/C electric aircraft tugs in their class.

eTT-16 Electric Aircraft Tug

Load Type: Business and regional jets
Towbar Type: Towbar
Powertrain: AWD and 4WS
Drawbar Pull: 12,000 lbf.
Towing Capacity: 155,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Battery
Suitable Weather Conditions: All weather conditions
Warranty: 1-year/2,000-hour warranty and 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Special Features: The etTT-16 airplane tug provides superior traction and maneuverability and offers extremely low cost-per-hour operation.

XM Series Aircraft Tugs

Tug Models: XM-20 and XM-30
Load Type: Full B737 and A320 families of aircraft
Towbar Type: Towbar
Powertrain: AWD and two-wheel steer (2WS)
Drawbar Pull: 16,000 lbf.
Towing Capacity: 210,000-215,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Diesel
Suitable Weather Conditions: Wet or dry to all weather conditions
Warranty: 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Special Features: The XM Series offers side markers, strobe lighting, emergency-brake override protection, a low oil/high temp shutdown system and hot-shift transmission protection.

XL Series Aircraft Tugs

Tug Models: XL-30 and XL-40
Load Type: Up to B737 or A320 aircraft
Towbar Type: Towbar
Powertrain: AWD and 4WS
Drawbar Pull: 26,000 lbf.
Towing Capacity: 300,000-360,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Diesel
Suitable Weather Conditions: All weather conditions
Warranty: 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Fun Fact: The Eagle XL tug is one of the largest tow tractors made by Eagle Tugs.

Towbarless Tug Models

Compact and maneuverable towbarless tugs allow you to move aircraft both efficiently and safely, even in a tight space. A towbarless aircraft tug, as the name suggests, does not utilize a towbar. Instead, it captures the nose landing gear with or without straps. Eagle Tugs’ towbarless solutions provide a simplistic and ergonomic design that reduces the operating space required to position an airplane.

JP30 & JP30L Towbarless Aircraft Tug

Tug Models: JP30 and JP30L
Load Type: Piston aircraft to light corporate jets
Towbar Type: Towbarless
Powertrain: Two-speed transaxle power transmission
Towing Capacity: 30,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Battery
Warranty: 2-year TronAir Platinum Warranty
Fun Fact: Originally designed for individual aircraft owners and corporate flight departments, the JP30 tug has grown in popularity and is now used by many fixed-base operators.

eJP-10 Towbarless Tractor

Load Type: General aviation to large business class aircraft
Towbar Type: Towbarless
Towing Capacity: 100,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Battery
Warranty: 1-year/2,000-hour warranty and 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Special Features: Dual AC electric motors and a regenerative braking tractor give the eJP-10 the best turning radius in the industry, as well as the smoothest operation.

JP100SSC Towbarless Aircraft Tug

Load Type: Most common dual nose-wheel aircraft
Towbar Type: Towbarless
Towing Capacity: 100,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Battery
Warranty: 1-year TronAir Standard Limited Warranty
Special Feature: Smooth deceleration regen-braking creates a shorter, smoother stop – virtually eliminating hard stops.

Military Aircraft Tug Models

From off-the-shelf airplane tug models to custom-built tractors, Eagle Tugs can provide an aircraft tug for virtually any military location, condition and use. The TT Series line mentioned previously is also available for most military applications.

USATS Military Aircraft Tugs

Tug Models: USATS-6 and USATS-8
Load Type: Military aircraft up to 51,000-58,000 lbs.
Towbar Type: Towbar
Powertrain: AWD
Drawbar Pull: 6,000-8,000 lbf.
Towing Capacity: 60,000-75,000 lbs.
Fuel Type: Diesel
Suitable Weather Conditions: All surface conditions
Warranty: 1-year/2,000-hour warranty and 3-year/3,000-hour warranty
Special Features: These military airplane tug models include front operation seating for better control and visibility, as well as a deck with tie-downs for cargo carrying.

Let Eagle Tugs Help Find the Right Airplane Tug For You

While this guide will help you to narrow down your options, choosing a pushback tug or aircraft tractor is not something you should attempt on your own. Let Eagle Tugs help. Reach out to our experts to learn more about the airplane tug models available through Eagle Tugs and request a quote today.