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Towing Vehicles
Also referred to as tuggers, towing vehicles are unmanned, computer-controlled transport vehicles that are capable of pulling one or more non-powered, wheel-based vehicles behind it in a train. An operator adds and removes the non-powered vehicles at designated stops, which can navigate a basic loop or a more complicated preprogrammed pathway. Typical non-powered vehicles that are towed by towing vehicles include quad steer carts, wagon wheel style trailers, hospital carts, dollies, hand trucks, maintenance carts and more. Capable of transporting heavy loads, typically ranging from 8,000 – 50,000 lbs, towing vehicles are useful for applications such as heavy lifting, tugging or towing, load transferring, pallet loading and unloading, load positioning and lean manufacturing. Towing vehicles allow less able-bodied workers to maneuver large numbers of carts that would not have been possible through physical labor. By creating a safer work environment as well as increased productivity, towing vehicles prove advantageous for industries such as metal processing, warehouse, automotive, food processing, agriculture, aerospace, construction, communications and military. As the first AGV introduced on the market, towing vehicles are still highly popular AGVs. Capable of navigating a guide path network that is flexible and easy to program, various navigation methods used on AGV towing vehicles include laser, camera, optical, inertial and wire guided systems. These methods are generally divided into two categories: fixed path, where wire, tape or paint can be used as a physical guide path on the floor for guidance; and free-ranging, which have no physical pathway to guide them, making it easier to change towing vehicle pathways through software. In general, towing vehicles use a navigation method from one of the two categories for guidance. Most towing vehicles are equipped with onboard microprocessors as well as a supervisory control system that helps with various tasks, such as tracking and tracing modules and generating and/or distributing transport orders. Free-ranging towing vehicles such as laser guided towing vehicles have advanced navigation capabilities and are able to navigate around objects along a programmed path and avoid collisions independently using laser beam sensors. Towing vehicle manufacturers program tuggers for many different and useful maneuvers that allow for higher efficiency in the workplace. Some towing vehicles are designed for the use of an operator, but most operate independently.
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