Improving Safety with Power Pusher® Electric Tugs

Traditional methods of material transportation (such as manpower, pallet jacks and forklift trucks) expose employees to unnecessary risk. Although these solutions are effective for moving goods, and are still commonly accepted, they each suffer concept or design flaws that increase risk factors for potential injury on the plant floor.

Industrial electric tugs not only improve safety and control, but also increase flexibility with the option to push and pull loads. Nu-Star’s Power Pusher® reduces manpower and increases plant floor productivity with less downtime by transporting heavy loads fast and without excess exertion or muscle strain. Enabling a single person to maneuver 50,000 to 250,000 pounds with total control, the electrically powered, compact tug replaces large, expensive material handling equipment, such as forklifts and tractors. With a wide range of standard or custom attachments available, the tugs are a scalable, flexible solution built to meet specific load requirements.

Visit our website to learn how all of the Power Pusher tug devices can improve safety and efficiency for specific applications.

New Super Power Pusher™ Features 250,000-Pound Push Capacity

Power Pusher has expanded the capabilities of its durable Super Power Pusher™ with a dual-motor model capable of moving up to 250,000 pounds for enhanced productivity that simultaneously reduces safety risks.

Fingertip controls and compact sizing make the device easy-to-maneuver, enabling a single employee to move loads from 500 to 250,000 pounds for a cost-effective alternative to forklifts, tractors and other ride-on material handling equipment. Additionally, the fully programmable control system adjusts the speed and acceleration/deceleration based on the current load and environment, adapting to individual application requirements. Battery-operated, with 36-volt DC, 1500-watt dual motors and equipped with an on-board charger, Super Power Pusher delivers a powerful, yet efficient, solution to challenging material handling applications.

Engineered to promote safety, Super Power Pusher complies with OSHA Health & Safety guidelines limiting the amount of manual pushing/pulling performed by a single person. Offered with optional safety features, including audible motion beeper, strobe, horn and hand guards, Super Power Pusher is constructed to protect the worker, the load and equipment.

Flexible Material Handling

Tugs not only improve control, but also increase flexibility with the option to push and pull loads, depending on application requirements. Further, these devices can provide additional stability, as multiple devices can work in unison to move difficult loads. For instance, when constructing pre-fabricated housing, each piece is moved sideways along the construction zone. Using a tug on each end of the piece, operators can push the material in sync.

Material handling tugs can also be equipped with safety accessories and job-specific attachments. With the option for safety horns and strobes, operators can signal facility occupants of their impeding approach to avoid collisions—even on noisy plant floors. Further, for challenging or diverse loads, tugs can be equipped with attachments designed to complement individual needs, such as a push pad assembly, railroad truck attachment and an angle plate for modular homes. These attachments provide the ideal performance capabilities for transporting virtually any load safely and efficiently.

Battery-Operated Tugs Engineered for Safety

Battery-operated tugs are designed to ideally distribute weight and maximize torque. Containing specifically-designed gears, this technology effectively converts speed to torque, enabling operators to minimize the effort required to pull or push loads. The body of these devices acts as a wedge, slightly lifting the load at an angle and transferring all the weight to the drive wheels, which allows torque to propel the device forward. With this technology, users can maneuver heavy materials without straining muscles—reducing the likelihood of injury during initial exertion.

Tugs also include features that prevent incidental injury during operation. Machines equipped with anti-runaway capabilities power down once the throttle is released. Additionally, the tug is designed in a way that, prior to operation, users must actively pull back the handle and hold it in place to power-up the machine. Together, these features prevent any incidental propulsion of the device. Another safety feature built into the controls of the machine is an emergency reverse switch. When pulling a load in reverse, if the device comes into direct contact with the operator’s torso, the emergency switch will automatically move the tug forward and stop the machine, preventing users from being pinned or crushed.

Along with operational safety features, these devices can also be constructed to improve ergonomics. For instance, devices containing ergonomically-designed handles protect fingers from being crushed when turning corners sharply. With the tug’s easy maneuverability, users will not experience shoulder and back pain due to overcompensating for lack of control. Plus, by allowing operators to be closer to the loads, tugs offer better visibility to reduce incidental collisions with equipment and other workers.