Terminal Tractor: Definition, Specifications & Brands
A terminal tractor, also called a yard tractor, shunt truck, or terminal truck, is a short, purpose-built port equipment vehicle that moves semi-trailers and container chassis within a terminal, depot, or distribution yard. It is not licensed for public roads and is optimised purely for fast, repeated coupling and uncoupling.
How a terminal tractor works
The driver backs under a trailer and a hydraulic fifth wheel lifts the trailer's kingpin clear of the ground, so the trailer can be moved without landing gear. The cab sits far forward for visibility, and the machine turns inside its own length to work in tight lanes. Terminal tractors are rated by drawbar pull, not lifting capacity, because they tow rather than lift.
Key specifications
| Specification | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Drawbar pull (standard) | 32–50 tonnes |
| Drawbar pull (heavy-duty / RoRo) | up to 150+ tonnes |
| Fifth wheel | Hydraulically raised and lowered |
| Top speed | 40–50 km/h |
| Drive | Diesel, with battery-electric and autonomous variants |
Leading manufacturers
| Brand | Note |
|---|---|
| Terberg (Netherlands) | European market leader, RT and YT series |
| Kalmar (Ottawa) | Strong in North America, T2 series |
| MAFI (Germany) | Heavy-duty RoRo and multipurpose tractors |
| CVS Ferrari / Capacity / Hyster | Established alternatives |
Electric and autonomous tractors
Battery-electric terminal tractors are now widely available and are being adopted fast by ports chasing zero-emission yard operations. Autonomous (self-driving) versions run at highly automated terminals, feeding STS cranes and yard stacks without a driver.
Typical use cases
- Moving trailers between quay, yard, and warehouse inside a terminal
- RoRo terminals shunting cassettes and heavy trailers
- Distribution centres and intermodal yards with constant trailer flow
Used market pricing (2026)
| Age / condition | Price range |
|---|---|
| 10+ years, high hours | €20,000 – €45,000 |
| 5–10 years, average hours | €45,000 – €75,000 |
| Recent / low hours / electric | €75,000 – €150,000+ |
