Drawbar Pull: Definition & Why It Matters

Drawbar pull is the maximum towing force a tractor can exert at the drawbar, usually stated in tonnes or kilonewtons. For a terminal tractor it is the headline rating, because this port equipment tows trailers rather than lifting cargo.

Why drawbar pull, not lifting capacity

A terminal tractor moves loaded trailers and chassis on the flat, so what matters is how much weight it can start and pull, not how much it can hoist. Drawbar pull therefore tells you the heaviest trailer the machine can move reliably, including on ramps and in poor traction.

Typical ranges

• Standard yard tractors: roughly 32 to 50 tonnes drawbar pull
• Heavy-duty and RoRo tractors: 100 tonnes and above for heavy cassettes and trailers

Browse terminal tractors on Portneeds.