5 Towbarless Tug Advantages That Will Make Your Operation More Efficient

Electric towbarless tugs (also called towbarless tractors) have been gaining more popularity worldwide within the aviation industry. In addition to their tremendous environmental impact when compared to conventional airplane tugs, towbarless aircraft tugs are highly adept at their functions. Whether you're looking to push or pull an aircraft to the taxiway for takeoff, to a hangar for maintenance or back to its spot on the flightline after a flight, electric towbarless tugs can transport aircraft of all types with ease without the need for aircraft-specific connections. This article will explore the top five advantages electric towbarless tugs offer over their conventional counterparts and why more airports are opting to streamline their fleet of ground support equipment with Tronair.

1. Increased Operator Visibility

Visibility for the ground crews who operate aircraft tugs is essential for accurate maneuverability of the aircraft and the safety of all those involved. The design of conventional airplane tugs leads to multiple blind spots when it comes to visibility, making it difficult for operators to pushback and pull aircraft efficiently and safely.

In contrast, the design of a towbarless tractor allows for the elimination of most blind spots and offers complete visibility for ground crews. Towbarless tugs' low-profile design helps remove vehicle-related obstacles for clear visibility during aircraft pickup and transport.

2. Easy Maneuverability

Because of the increased operator visibility, towbarless tugs also allow for peak maneuverability in various situations and landscapes. Traditional aircraft tractors are notoriously tricky for maneuvering pushback operations due to the towbar, which can create severe pinch points and two pivot points that can easily damage an aircraft.

By eliminating the need for a towbar, towbarless aircraft tugs gain their entire range of motion for more efficient operations. One of the most significant contributing factors in the list of advantages of towbarless tugs over conventional ones is their ability to efficiently perform 90-degree turns – something that must be done time and time again when maneuvering aircraft. With a much smaller turning radius, towbarless tractors provide optimized maneuvering efficiency and optimal safety for aircraft.

3. Optimized Control & Braking

Traditional tractors use a centralized hydraulic braking system with automotive-style shoe or disc brakes. This system is effective but often will create sudden hard jolts when trying to brake. They are also prone to jack-knifing when operating in inclement weather conditions (such as ice and/or snow) when not perfectly straight and aligned with the center of the aircraft's nose wheel. This, of course, can lead to hazardous and/or costly situations. In addition to the braking system, conventional tugs cannot maintain high, consistent speeds due to safety issues concerning the towbar and engine horsepower constraints, leading to some control issues that can make the job more of a challenge.

When it comes to towbarless tractors, manufacturers have opted for a completely redesigned braking system that eliminates the drawbacks of conventional models. Towbarless aircraft tugs utilize what is known as hydrostatic regenerative braking – a much more efficient way to bring your tug to a stop. A towbarless tug will not coast when the operator removes their foot from the accelerator with this system. Instead, they'll "brake down" slowly, which will allow them to come to a smoother stop. With the regenerative braking system, operators will be free from the quick, hard jolts that cause traditional tugs so many problems. Regenerative braking also reduces the risk of both jack-knifing and keeping the wheels straight when coming to a stop on a snowy, icy or slippery surface.

Control is one of the most important factors to consider when it comes to towing. Towbarless tugs far exceed conventional tugs in this area due to their ability to maintain the same speed as taxiing aircraft. This way, pushback and pull operations won't interfere with the movement of aircraft on the taxiway.

4. Unmatched Versatility

When using traditional tractors, ground crews have to swap out different towbars based on the aircraft that needs to be towed. In these operations, the towbar is attached to the tractor only after being connected to the airplane. This can make traditional tugs both expensive and inefficient when dealing with a whole fleet of different aircraft types. The process of switching towbars can also lead to an increased risk of injury for ground crew members who have to deal with heavy equipment all day.

Towbarless tugs, on the other hand, can interface with multiple types of airplanes, giving them an incredible range of versatility. Instead of using a towbar, towbarless tractors capture the nose of the landing gear either with or without straps. This process eliminates the towbar variable, decreasing the risk for injury and speeding up towing procedures.

5. Better for the Environment

With a renewed focus on energy and environmental conservation, electric vehicles have been on the rise – and that doesn't stop when it comes to airplane tugs and tow trucks. Aircraft cause a staggering 2 percent of the world's CO2 emissions, making airports some of the biggest contributors to pollution. Traditional gas or diesel tugs are also contributors to polluting local air, creating health hazards for employees and surrounding area residents. And, by utilizing fuel, regulatory requirements come into play which can become very expensive in terms of both direct costs and efficiency.

But electric towbarless tugs don't create any dangerous, expensive emissions. Their environmental impact is not only good for people but also the environment and your pocketbook as well. A towbarless tractor can also eliminate harmful noise pollution, doing its job silently and more efficiently thanks to its electric motor.

As an added bonus, the fact that an electric towbarless tug emits no exhaust means that operators can use it safely not only on the tarmac but also in production halls and hangars.

Increase Your Efficiency Today with a Tronair Towbarless Tug

Tronair's line of environmentally friendly towbarless tugs, airport ground vehicles and servicing equipment has the power, reliability and efficiency to get the job done right, every time. Have a question or need more information? Reach out to our authorized customer service center now and find out why airports around the world are looking to upgrade their fleet with towbarless aircraft tugs today.

Shop Electric Towbarless Tugs Today