One of the most important pieces of equipment, and one you want to be durable, reliable, and have the power you need, is the airplane tug. Sometimes known as a pushback tug, a pushback tractor, or just a tractor, it is used to get the airplane started moving backward when it is at the gate.
Considerations
By design, the airplane tug has to have a powerful engine to start the plane from a dead stop. It is also a very low profile vehicle, providing a low weight distribution and center of gravity to be able to move the plane backward.
However, the airplane tug is more versatile that just that. It can also be used for pulling an airplane, and is convenient when moving planes into a hanger or around an airport from terminals to service bays or for storage between flights.
Traditional Options
The most common and traditional type of airplane tug, regardless of the size of planes it will need to move, is the tug that features a tow-bar. The tow-bar actually connects to both the plane and the tractor to create a distance between the two.
However, there is more room for error with this type of connection, and with larger planes the longer tow-bars required increase this potential risk of problems when moving the plane, particularly when pushing the plane backward.
Towbarless Tugs
To resolve this issue, towbarless airplane tug designs are now available. These are ideal for both small and larger sizes of aircraft, and without the tow-bar the risk of unintended pivoting of the plane is virtually eliminated. This means that the plane can be easily moved without anyone having to control the plane, and it also provides more safety for those working on the ground around where the planes are moved.
The towbarless airplane tug actually scoops or lifts the front wheel, the nose wheel, and supports the front of the plane. Operators of the towbarless tractor don’t have to worry about the aircraft twisting or turning, and they also don’t have to worry about the tow-bar connections and other logistical factors, making them a safer and more efficient option.
There is a wide range of different sizes and models of these tractors. Generally airports, particularly those with international and cargo terminals, will have several different airplane tug models on hand to efficiently and effective manage the aircraft using their facility.