september2021 - 60

PRODUCT PROFILE
Pick the Best Powe
T
The TUG ALPHA 1 was designed to offer narrow-body pushback operations
with a choice of a diesel, gasoline or lithium battery powered vehicle.
By Josh Smith
o address the needs of ground service providers
handling the movements of aircraft,
officials at Textron GSE sought to provide
flexibility.
Engineers expanded the company's TUG
ALPHA family with a tractor designed for narrow-body
pushback with a max drawbar rating of
24,000 lbs., a max gross vehicle weight of 35,000
lbs. and the ability to support aircraft up to the
A321 or B737.
But beyond the flexibility offered with the line
of TUG ALPHA pushbacks, Textron GSE developed
multiple powertrains for its TUG ALPHA
1 model.
" As part of the design process for the TUG
ALPHA 1, the team was cognizant of delivering a
product that would drive efficiencies for customers.
Engineers considered the future of airport operations
and the objective to have more sustainable
equipment that would benefit the environment and
offset carbon emissions, " explains Matt Chaffin,
VP and GM at Textron GSE.
The TUG ALPHA 1, which was introduced by
Textron GSE in October 2020, is available in three
models - lithium, diesel and a gasoline model specifically
built to handle commercial aircraft.
" Offering three models means the TUG ALPHA
1 can be used around the globe based on the needs
of our customers, " Chaffin says. " All models feature
drive-by-wire technology, are CE-certified
and available in Tier 3, Tier 4 Final and Stage V
configurations for global use. "
60 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE SEPTEMBER 2021
Powertrain Options
According to Textron GSE officials, the company's
diverse customer base often has differing needs and
infrastructure, so the TUG ALPHA 1 was designed
to have multiple powertrains, including diesel.
" Many international customers operate diesel
products and rely on the power offered by diesel
engines. The TUG ALPHA 1 was designed to
meet or exceed all EU emission requirements and
has been purpose-built with the future in mind, "
Chaffin says.
The gasoline-powered version of the TUG
ALPHA 1 does not require the extensive aftertreatment
that diesel engines do, which can save
customers time and money.
" The TUG ALPHA 1 is the only gas narrow-body
pushback specifically built to handle commercial
aircraft that delivers comparable torque, power
and run-time to diesel solutions, " Chaffin points
out. " The gas model also offers low operating costs
compared to diesel vehicles due to lower fuel prices
and reduced maintenance expense. "
Additionally, the gas and diesel models can be
upgradeable to a lithium powertrain once a customer's
and an airport's eGSE infrastructure is in place.
" This means customers do not have to invest in
new equipment and can utilize existing products
and transform them with a lithium powertrain, "
Chaffin says.
The lithium TUG ALPHA 1 offers a number
of advantages over lead acid technology, according
to Chaffin, noting the battery-powered unit
september2021

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