IC Tow Tractor
Diesel tow tractors with 20-80 kN of drawbar pull, towing 26-100 tonnes on one trailer, built for outdoor yards where refuelling beats recharging.
2 Products
X Series Tow Tractor 2-3 t
X Series Tow Tractor 3.5-8 t
Diesel tow tractors for sale: heavy towing outdoors
An IC tow tractor runs on an engine instead of a battery, so it can pull heavy trailer trains on long outdoor runs and refuel in minutes. DJJ Equipment sells two Hangcha diesel tow tractors, the X Series 2-3 t and 3.5-8 t, for airports, large industrial sites and yards where trains of 26 to 100 tonnes move on one trailer.
The number in the name is drawbar pull
On these two models the 2-3 t and 3.5-8 t in the name are drawbar pull classes, not towing loads. The pull is what the tractor can exert at the coupling, and the towing weight it can move is far higher. That is the opposite of our electric tow tractors, whose names give the towing load, so compare the towing weight figures, not the names.
Our diesel tow tractors
- X Series Tow Tractor 2-3 t: 20-30 kN of maximum drawbar pull, towing 26-36 tonnes on one trailer or 39-54 tonnes on two, with a Cummins, Xinchai or Yanmar diesel engine and up to 29 km/h unladen.
- X Series Tow Tractor 3.5-8 t: 35-80 kN of rated drawbar pull, towing 47-100 tonnes on one trailer or 70-150 tonnes on two, with a Yuchai diesel of 85 or 118 kW, a powershift transmission and up to 24 km/h unladen.
Both are seated tractors with 30% gradeability unladen. The 2-3 t uses a hydraulic transmission, a vacuum-boosted dual-circuit brake system on all wheels and a coupling with a self-locking safety buckle, and its 16 mm steel front lets it push as well as tow.
How to size a diesel tow tractor
Start with the total weight of the train, trailers included, and the number of trailers. Then check the route: long grades, wet or loose surfaces and tight turns all reduce what a tractor can safely move, and the speed and gradeability figures above are unladen. Turning circles are 3,250 mm on the 2-3 t and 3,850-4,450 mm on the 3.5-8 t, so check the space at each end of the route.
Diesel or electric?
Choose diesel for long outdoor runs, heavy trains and sites where charging is hard to arrange. For indoor routes, production halls and anywhere exhaust is a problem, an electric tow tractor is the better choice, and our electric range tows up to 40 tonnes.
Licence, warranty and support
No high risk work licence class covers tow tractors, but operators need training on the tractor, its towing limits and your site's traffic rules. Both diesel tow tractors show a 12 month or 2,000 hour warranty on the product page, and every machine we sell gets a pre-delivery inspection before it leaves us. They are listed for sale, so ask our team about availability for a short project and about transport options to your site. 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:
- Total train weight and the number of trailers
- Long grades and surfaces on the route
- Turning space at each end
- Coupling height and type on your trailers
- Fuel supply and where the tractor will refuel
Tell us the train weight, the route and the hours you run, and our team will size a diesel tow tractor. Call 1800 355 388 or send an enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you speak with the team.
Do operators need a licence to drive an IC tow tractor?
There is no high risk work licence class for tow tractors, whether electric or engine powered, since they tow trailers instead of lifting with a mast. Your business must still train operators on the specific IC tow tractor, its towing limits and your site's traffic routes, and manage the risks of powered mobile plant under WHS law. Check current requirements with SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Queensland or WorkSafe WA.
When is an electric tow tractor the better choice?
Electric tow tractors produce no exhaust at the machine, so they suit enclosed warehouses, production halls and noise-sensitive areas where an LPG or diesel unit would need ventilation. If most of your towing route runs indoors, an electric tow tractor is usually the better choice.
What warranty comes with an IC tow tractor from DJJ?
Both Hangcha IC tow tractors listed by DJJ Equipment show a warranty of 12 months / 2,000 hours on their product pages. Check the page for the exact model, since warranty is set per series.
Who services and supplies parts for IC tow tractors?
The DJJ Service Team handles scheduled servicing, fault diagnosis and mechanical, hydraulic and electrical repairs on Hangcha IC tow tractors from workshops in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, with commonly required parts stocked at each branch. Call the service line on 1300 646 747 to book.
Can I hire an IC tow tractor instead of buying?
The IC 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.
Can DJJ deliver an IC tow tractor to a regional site?
DJJ doesn't run its own delivery service, so ask our team about transport options to your site when you request a price for an IC tow tractor, and include the site address.
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