Tow Tractor
Tow tractors that pull trolley trains and trailers, from 3 tonne electric tugs to diesel tractors towing up to 100 tonnes, plus electric platform trucks. Filter by towing rating and drive type.
10 Products
X Series Platform Truck 8-16 t
X Series Tow Tractor 10-32 t
X Series Tow Tractor 3-5 t
X Series Tow Tractor 6-18 t
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
X Series Tow Tractor 2-3 t
X Series Tow Tractor 3.5-8 t
Tow tractors for sale: sizing a tug for your loads and route
A tow tractor, also called a tow tug or tugger, pulls a train of trolleys or trailers instead of lifting a single pallet. One trip can move many loads along a set route, which cuts forklift traffic between production lines, warehouses, yards and docks. DJJ Equipment sells Hangcha electric tow tractors rated from 3 to 40 tonnes of towing load, diesel tow tractors that pull up to 100 tonnes on one trailer, and electric platform trucks that carry the load on their own deck.
Our tow tractor range
Compact electric tugs, 3 to 5 tonnes. The A Series 3-5 t is a stand-on 24V tug only 830 mm wide, with a lead-acid or lithium battery, for trolley work in tight indoor spaces. The X Series 3-5 t runs on a 48V lithium battery and turns in a 1,185 mm radius.
Seated electric tow tractors, 6 to 40 tonnes. The X Series runs from the 48V X Series 6-10 t through the 6-18 t and 10-32 t models to the X Series 20-40 t, which has a fully enclosed cab and a lithium battery as standard. These suit long trolley trains and heavy trailers, indoors and outdoors.
Diesel tow tractors. The X Series 2-3 t and 3.5-8 t are seated diesel tow tractors for long outdoor runs at airports and large industrial sites. On these two the number in the name is the drawbar pull class, not the towing load. The 2-3 t delivers 20-30 kN of maximum drawbar pull and tows 26-36 tonnes on one trailer, and the 3.5-8 t delivers 35-80 kN of rated drawbar pull and tows 47-100 tonnes on one trailer.
Electric platform trucks. A platform truck carries goods on a flat deck and is rated by payload rather than towing load: 1 to 5 tonnes on the BD10-50 models and 8 to 16 tonnes on the BD80-160 models. The X Series Platform Truck 8-16 t has a 3,200 by 1,800 mm deck on the 8 tonne model. Choose one when the load rides with the driver rather than on trolleys behind.
How to size a tow tractor
Add up the whole train: the goods, the trolleys or trailers, and any trolleys you may add later. Then look at the steepest part of the route, because gradeability falls sharply with a load behind the tractor. On the X Series 6-10 t, for example, Hangcha quotes 25% gradeability unladen but 5% fully laden, and the A Series 3-5 t is rated for a 4% slope laden. Most speeds on our product pages are unladen figures, so expect slower travel with a full train.
Check the route surface and whether the tractor will work indoors, outdoors or both, the coupling height on your trolleys, and the turning space at each end of the route. Braking distance grows with the towed load, so plan speed limits for busy aisles and shared areas.
Battery or diesel
Most of our electric tow tractors are offered with a lead-acid or lithium battery. Lithium suits multi-shift work 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. The diesel tractors suit long outdoor runs where charging is not practical.
Buying and support
Our tow tractors are listed for sale. If you only need one for a project or a season, ask about hire availability at your nearest branch. Warranty terms are on each product page, for example 12 months or 2,000 hours on the tow tractors and 24 months or 2,000 hours on the platform trucks. Every machine we sell gets a pre-delivery inspection, and our branches in Silverwater, Meadowbrook and Bayswater handle servicing, repairs and parts, with on-site service within 50 km of each branch.
Before you choose, check:
- Total weight of the full train, trolleys included
- Number of trolleys or trailers and their coupling height
- The steepest slope on the route
- Route surface and indoor or outdoor use
- Shift length and when the tractor can charge
Tell us the train weight, route and shift pattern, and our team will size a tow tractor and quote it. Call 1800 355 388 or send an enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you speak with the team.
Is a tow tractor's towing rating the same as lifting capacity?
No. A tow tractor's rating is the load it can pull on trailers, not a weight it can lift. Electric models in this range are rated by towing load, from 3 to 40 tonnes, while the diesel X Series tractors are named by drawbar pull and tow 26-100 tonnes on one trailer. Braking distance grows with the towed load, so size the machine and route with that in mind.
What is the difference between a tow tractor and a platform truck?
A tow tractor pulls a train of trolleys or trailers, while a platform truck carries the load on its own deck. The range includes X Series electric platform trucks rated 1-5 t and 8-16 t alongside electric and combustion tow tractors.
Can an electric tow tractor be used outdoors as well as indoors?
The electric tow tractors and platform trucks in this range are rated for indoor and outdoor work. Route surface, gradient and weather still matter, so tell us where the train runs and we will check the model against it.
Do tow tractor operators need a licence in Australia?
No high risk work licence class covers tow tractors in NSW, Queensland or WA, because the forklift class applies only to trucks with a mast and an elevating load carriage. That does not remove the duty to train: operators need suitable training, information and instruction for the machine and your site, and your business must manage the risk under WHS law.
Can I hire a tow tractor instead of buying one?
DJJ lists its tow tractors for sale. For hire, ask the team about availability at your nearest branch, since what can be hired varies by location and term, and we can compare that with buying for your duty cycle.
Should I buy a tow tractor (tugger) or another forklift?
A tow tractor, often called a tug or tugger, pulls a train of trolleys and moves many loads in one trip along a set route, which can cut the trips a forklift would otherwise make. Buy another forklift if the job is lifting and stacking; add a tow tractor if the job is moving goods between areas. Tell us the loads, distances and route surface and we will size one and quote it.
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