Electric Tow Tractor
Battery electric tow tractors rated from 3 to 40 tonnes of towing load, plus a platform truck, with no exhaust emissions for indoor routes. Filter by rating and operator position.
4 Products
X Series Tow Tractor 6-10 t
A Series Tow Tractor 3-5 t
X Series Platform Truck 1-5 t
X Series Tow Tractor 20-40 t
Electric tow tractors for sale: 3 to 40 tonnes
An electric tow tractor, also called an electric tug or electric tow truck, pulls trolley trains and trailers on battery power, with no exhaust at the point of use. DJJ Equipment sells Hangcha electric tow tractors rated from 3 to 40 tonnes of towing load, from compact 24V tugs for tight indoor routes to 80V and high-voltage tractors for heavy trains on large sites.
Our electric tow tractors
- A Series Tow Tractor 3-5 t: a stand-on 24V tug, 830 mm wide, with a lead-acid or lithium battery.
- X Series Tow Tractor 3-5 t: 48V lithium, 800 mm wide, with a 1,185 mm turning radius and up to 12.5 km/h unladen.
- X Series Tow Tractor 6-10 t: a seated 48V tractor with a lead-acid or lithium battery and up to 18 km/h unladen.
- X Series Tow Tractor 6-18 t: 48V on the 6-10 t models and 80V from 12 t, up to 23 km/h, in lead-acid or lithium.
- X Series Tow Tractor 10-32 t: 48V and 80V models up to 32 tonnes, with long-wheelbase versions for larger batteries.
- X Series Tow Tractor 20-40 t: a fully enclosed cab, a lithium battery as standard, IPX5 water protection and up to 25 km/h unladen.
- X Series Platform Truck 1-5 t: carries 1 to 5 tonnes on its own deck instead of towing.
Lithium or lead-acid?
Most of our electric tow tractors come with either battery. Lithium suits two or three shifts, because it can be topped up at breaks; on the X Series 6-10 t, the lithium pack charges in about 2 hours against 8-10 hours for lead-acid. Lead-acid costs less to buy and suits a single shift with an overnight charge, but it needs watering and a ventilated charging area. Check where the tractor will charge and the power supply there before you choose.
Size it laden, not unladen
Electric tow tractors are rated by towing load, and most speed and gradeability figures on the product pages are unladen. With a full train they slow down and climb far less: the X Series 6-10 t is rated for 25% gradeability unladen but 5% laden, and the 3-5 t tugs for 4% laden. Add up the goods and the trolleys, then check the steepest ramp on the route against the laden figure, and allow for a longer stopping distance with a heavy train.
Indoors and outdoors
Every electric tractor here works indoors without exhaust, which is why they suit warehouses and production lines. For outdoor routes, check the model's rating and water protection: the X Series 20-40 t has an IPX5 rating and an enclosed cab for yard work. For long outdoor runs where charging is hard to arrange, compare a diesel IC tow tractor, which pulls far heavier trains.
Licence, warranty and support
No high risk work licence class covers tow tractors, but operators still need training and your site needs traffic rules for trains. The tow tractors show a 12 month or 2,000 hour warranty on the product page, and the platform truck 24 months or 2,000 hours. Every machine we sell gets a pre-delivery inspection before it leaves us. These tractors are listed for sale, so ask our team about availability if you need one for a short period. Servicing, repairs and parts come from our branches in Silverwater, Meadowbrook and Bayswater, with on-site service within 50 km of each branch.
Before you choose, check:
- Weight of the full train, trolleys included
- Steepest slope on the route, against the laden gradeability
- Shift length and when the tractor can charge
- Indoor or outdoor route and the protection rating needed
- Coupling height on your trolleys
Tell us the train weight, the route and your shifts, and our team will size an electric tow tractor. Call 1800 355 388 or send an enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you speak with the team.
Is towing capacity the same as a forklift's lifting capacity?
No. An electric tow tractor is rated by the load it can pull on trailers, not by weight lifted, so the two figures are not comparable. Braking distance with the train loaded also matters, which is why route gradients should be checked against the model's data.
Can an electric tow tractor work outdoors as well as indoors?
Some electric tow tractors in the Hangcha range are rated for both indoor and outdoor work, but electric does not automatically mean outdoor rated. Check the product page for the specific model, and tell the DJJ team about the surfaces, weather exposure and gradients on your route.
Do operators need a licence to drive an electric tow tractor?
No high risk work licence class covers tow tractors, because they pull loads rather than lift them on a mast like a forklift. Operators still need training, information and instruction on the machine and on your site's traffic rules, and your business must manage risks such as collisions and overturning. Confirm current requirements with SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Queensland or WorkSafe WA.
What warranty comes with a Hangcha electric tow tractor?
The Hangcha electric tow tractors listed by DJJ Equipment show a warranty of 12 months / 2,000 hours on their product pages. Warranty is set per series, so check the page for the exact model you are considering.
When does an IC tow tractor make more sense than electric?
Electric tow tractors suit warehouses, production halls and other enclosed areas. If your route is mostly outdoors and refuelling suits your site better than charging, a diesel IC tow tractor suits yards and long outdoor runs.
Can I hire an electric tow tractor for a short period?
The electric tow tractors on this page are sale listings. For hire, ask the DJJ team about availability at your nearest branch in Sydney, Brisbane or Perth and for the term you need.
Next Step
Tell Us About Your Application
Share what you need to move, how high it needs to lift and where it will operate. Our team can help narrow suitable models for purchase or hire.
Buy & Hire · 1800 355 388
Service · 1300 646 747