Tugs / Tow Bars Ground Support Equipment For Sale

About Tugs & Tow Bars

Tow bars and tugs are used to move aircraft around an airport in a safe, efficient, timely manner, whether adjusting position within a hanger, moving to the tarmac, or pushing back from the gate. Although some smaller-sized aircraft are light enough to move by hand, tugs and tow bars make the task much simpler for any size of aircraft, and with less potential of causing structural damage to the plane. Whether it’s a smaller piston trainer, midsize business jet, larger commercial airliner, or helicopter that need to be moved, there’s a manual, engine-powered, or battery-powered solution available for the job.

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Mototok Twin 3900 NG Tug

Types Of Tugs & Tow Bars

Tugs and tow bars generally fit into one of a few types that include machines that support one-man operation and remote-control functionality, and that include automatic wheel lift systems, warning lights, built-in chargers, and other features. Hand-operated tow bars, which include powered aircraft trolleys, feature the simplest designs and generally involve a clamp-like attachment that fits to an aircraft’s nose or tail wheel for towing by hand. Such models are often constructed of aluminum alloy or other lightweight material that makes them suitable for stowing onboard during flights.

For moving heavier aircraft, there are tow bar tugs that use a diesel- or petrol-powered engine, or electric tractors or tugs equipped with a tow bar at the front and/or rear. Also available are tow bar-less tugs equipped with engine or electric power but no tow bar. Among these are compact, remote-controlled models well-suited for operating inside hangars thanks to tight turn radii and low noise and carbon emissions. Tugs without a tow bar can usually accommodate aircraft from many manufacturers due to their low-profile designs that fit underneath an aircraft’s nose to lift and secure the wheel for towing.

Tug & Tow Bar Options

Mototok, one of the more popular manufacturers, builds tugs for hauling a broad variety of aircraft types. The company makes compact, electric-powered, remote-controlled M Series tugs offering automatic loading ability and tow capacities up to 15,000 kilograms (33,000 pounds). The 7500 NG from Mototok’s Twin-Series, meanwhile, is built specifically for ship and offshore platform applications and can tow up to 75,000 kg (165,347 lbs.). Mototok’s Alligator 4000 model stands just 200 millimetres (7.87 inches) tall, enabling it to fit beneath the nose of numerous aircraft models. The Mototok Helimo is designed for helicopters with skids, and Mototok Spacer-series tugs are designed for use with large commercial aircraft and have tow capacities up to 250,000 kg (551,156 pounds).

Find The Right Tugs & Tow Bars

You’ll find a diverse selection of tugs and tow bars for sale every day on AviationTrader.com.au, including machines from such leading brands as Mototok, Tiffin Aire, TowFLEXX, and Tug Technologies.