Tugger trains transport materials on a trolley or rolling rack within the trailer frame, sometimes over long distances, to deliver them to various points in production and assembly. Outdoors, they must also be able to cope with uneven road surfaces. Linde is developing new versions.
Tugger trains, consisting of a tractor unit and several trailers, are particularly common in just-in-time or just-in-sequence production in the automotive and mechanical engineering industries. Several new trailer frames now expand Linde Material Handling's (MH) tugger train portfolio. Equipped with application-specific functions, these trailers can be combined with tractor units from the Linde range to create perfectly tailored trains.
“In addition to the proven all-rounder version, we now also have tugger train solutions in our program that have been developed for the respective indoor or outdoor area,” says Mal Rexhepi, Product Manager Logistic Train Solutions.
The Linde LT06-M, LT10-M, and LT10-W tugger train trailers are primarily designed for indoor use. These frames are mainly attached to the Linde P60 C tractor and can be freely combined within the same train. The M-frames are available with either a 600 kg or 1000 kg load capacity and are loaded at ground level from one side. They are suitable for transport with predefined start and end points. The W-frames, with a 1000 kg load capacity, can be loaded and unloaded from both sides, making them more flexible: If routes are subsequently changed or new stops are added, it doesn't matter which side they are on. The centrally located axle with two wheels gives the logistics train excellent maneuverability. For example, a tractor with four attached frames for Euro pallet trolleys only needs a lane width of 3.9 m to perform a U-turn. The trailers also have a low tare weight. In its simplest version, it weighs only 158 kg and allows for higher driving speeds, which has a positive effect on handling performance.
Images: Linde MH
In contrast, the Linde LT16-Ch and Linde LT16-BMh outdoor tugger trains, typically pulled by the Linde P250 tractor, are optimized for off-road use. The trailers' large, super-elastic tires, with a diameter of 368 mm and a width of 115 mm, effectively absorb shocks and impacts from uneven terrain. The robust frames also feature two axles for load capacities up to 1.6 tons, all-wheel steering for high maneuverability and directional stability, and hydraulic lifting controls for gentle lifting of the trolleys. Two versions are available and can be freely combined: a C-frame (Ch) and a double-sided frame (BMh) with adjustable center bars for transporting containers of different sizes simultaneously. Numerous options allow the trailer frames to be further equipped for outdoor use: These include weather protection, lighting options for better visibility, mudguards for the wheels, and overrun brakes that relieve the towing vehicle, especially on inclines and declines.
The two new tugger train solutions complement the proven, high-performance Linde LT10-C to LT16-BM tugger train series. In combination with the Linde P80 tractor, they demonstrate their advantages as "all-rounders" both inside and between factory buildings. Three frame versions are available for the trailers, which have a maximum payload capacity of 2000 kg: C-frame (LT-C), double-sided loading frame (LT-B), and frame with integrated, movable center support (LT-BM).
For safe transport and loading, all Linde trailer models come standard with a mechanical load locking mechanism that closes automatically after the trolleys are inserted. The frame's lifting function is centrally controlled from the driver's cab. When the driver enters the tractor, the load is automatically raised; when they exit, it is lowered. A start-up lock prevents the tractor from moving with the load lowered and prevents the load from being lowered while driving. An assistance system automatically reduces the tractor's speed when cornering.
To complement the tugger trains, numerous trolleys with load capacities of up to 1000 kg are available in various sizes, configurations, and tire options. They are suitable for transporting pallets and containers and can be equipped with modular shelving systems for small load carriers. Furthermore, an optional tugger train guidance system assists drivers with complex routes and variable endpoints, directing them along the optimal route to each station.
