Tow Carts

Tow carts are industrial-grade material handling platforms designed to transport heavy loads, parts, and materials through a facility by being towed in tandem behind an automated or operator-driven vehicle. Identified by their robust steel frames, heavy-duty casters, and specialized hitch assemblies, these carts are engineered to lock together to form a highly efficient tugger train. Unlike manual push carts, tow carts are specifically designed to handle the mechanical stresses, high weight capacities, and constant motion required by automated guided vehicles (AGVs), tuggers, and forklifts on the production floor.

The main advantage of implementing a tow cart system is the substantial increase in warehouse throughput and logistics efficiency. By connecting multiple carts behind a single towing vehicle, a facility can move significantly more inventory in a single trip compared to a standard forklift carrying one pallet at a time. This “train” configuration minimizes the number of individual trips needed to replenish assembly lines or transfer finished goods to shipping docks, which optimizes labor resources, accelerates cycle times, and reduces overall energy and fuel consumption.

Tow carts also increase workplace safety and support new “fork-free” manufacturing initiatives. Forklifts are among the leading causes of warehouse accidents because of limited operator visibility and heavy, raised loads. Replacing traditional forklift traffic with low-profile tow cart trains traveling along dedicated pathways reduces the risk of collisions with pedestrians and infrastructure. Because materials remain at a lower, stable center of gravity during transit, the risk of tipped loads and product damage is significantly minimized.