V-Move Electric Tug & Tow Tractor models

Yes, the V-Move walk-along tugs and tow tractors are very safe when used correctly. We spec them for your specific task, so you have the correct amount of counter-weights to gain traction to safely move and stop a load. Depending on the model and options chosen, some of the safety features are: Regenerative braking, additional hydraulic-assisted braking, dual-drive motors, lockable driveline when parked, locking differential for added traction, positive throttle so when you let off the throttle it will stop, various emergency stop buttons, auto pinch stop button, auto stop with power loss, auto slow down in corners, flashing LED light, loud vehicle horn, radio-frequency protected electronics, safety-oriented operator manual, optional on-site training by a Xerowaste operating engineer, warnings when remaining battery capacity is low, wheel guards, explosion proofing and keyed ignition. Our tow tractors have additional safety features such as a dead-man switch, limited speed operation and bumpers.

It depends on many factors. Factors such as battery size, temperature, load, surface friction, caster or wheel resistance, slope, speed, constant speed or repeated acceleration and de-acceleration, motor energy consumption, etc. Generally, you want to follow the battery manufacturer recommendations on draw-down or consumption of available full Ah capacity before recharging to get the stated life out of the battery. Some battery types have different recommended maximum draw-down before recharging. AGM usually recommends you don’t use more than 50% or 60% of available full Ah capacity before recharging. Lithium-ion usually recommends drawing down up to 80% before recharging. Some batteries allow partial charging between uses, such as Lithium-ion and “forklift” style flooded cells with the correct type of charger.
Generally, most V-Move tugs from 12-volt to 48-volt systems will allow up to 2.5 hours of continuous use on average with standard batteries or up to 5.5 hours of continuous use with the largest optional size batteries. ‘Opportunity’ charging, with certain battery types and sizes, allows frequent use of the tugs for up to 24/7 operation.

The rolling resistance of a railcar or cart with steel wheels on steel rails is much less than by using a cart with rubber, steel or hard plastic wheels on normal surfaces like concrete, asphalt or sand. The V-Move tug can pull a lot more weight when the items is on rails, when properly configured, vs pulling on normal surfaces such as concrete. If you have a factory and want to use a less-powered and more affordable V-Move tug to move a heavy load, then it may benefit you by installing and placing your load to move on rails instead of pulling a cart on casters across a concreted floor.

The cost of a bin tug or dumpster mover varies depending on the model of the V-Move tug and the configured options for your use. If you ask, then we can provide you the price. What we recommend you should be doing is determining and evaluating the payback you can obtain from the purchase of a V-Move bin tug or dumpster mover to justify the purchase. Payback for this is calculated as the potential savings annually divided into the capital cost of a bin tug or dumpster mover to give a value in years. Anything less than 4 years is an acceptable payback. One part of savings is calculated as the value of preventable injuries, reduced lost work days and reduced WCB costs by moving bins with a device such as a dumpster mover, load mover or bin tug. In some cases, moving heavy loads by hand has resulted in death, which you can’t put a high enough cost to. If you subcontract the movement of your waste bins, then by bringing that in-house with a V-Move tug, in certain cases, allows you to save a substantial amount annually. We have some Xerowaste customers that have saved up to CAD $15,000 annually from subcontracted costs alone, just by bringing it in-house with a Xerowaste V-Move tug. There are many other factors to consider when calculating the payback cost of purchasing a V-Move tug to move heavy loads vs pushing and pulling by hand.

To evaluate the purchase of a V-Move tug, you look at payback or ROI. Calculate the cost of a fully loaded per mile or per hour rate to operate a locomotive or semi-tractor truck to move the loads vs. the cost to operate a V-Move tug. You should add the capital cost of your routed locomotive or semi-tractor as a depreciation rate per hour or mile to your operating cost as well since it consumes from the life of your asset. The V-Move asset will be an added cost of capital and is evaluated in the payback calculation and not added to the cost of operating a V-Move tug. The difference in costs per year between the two alternatives divided into the added capital cost of a V-Move tug results in your payback value in years. Anything less than 4-years is reasonable. When you calculate your annual cost to operate the locomotive or semi-truck, consider the cost of your professional driver with benefits, repair costs, fuel costs, insurance, and allocated overhead costs (such as required daily vehicle inspections) to name a few. Then there is the savings to calculate from emissions and your lower overall carbon footprint of using a V-Move walk-along tug vs a locomotive or semi-truck or even vs an electric semi-truck or electric railcar mover. Generally, Xerowaste customers see less than a year or two payback when using a V-Move tug vs using a locomotive or semi-tractor truck.