Sewing and footwear lines run to a rhythm. Every hour, a line needs a set amount of cut parts, trims and packaging, and finished output must be taken away in time to avoid congestion. Moving one pallet at a time by forklift means a huge number of trips and aisles constantly busy with trucks. An electric tow tractor pulling several trailers along a fixed route – a tugger train – is how many lean plants supply their lines. This article looks at how to apply it in textile and footwear plants.
The line-feeding challenge in garment and footwear plants
Internal goods in this sector are light, bulky and come in many carrier types (bundle trolleys, plastic boxes, hanging racks, small pallets). They do not need lifting high, but they must move steadily and on time between cutting, printing and embroidery, sewing lines, pressing and packing. In footwear, routes run between leather cutting, upper stitching, lasting, sole pressing and boxing.
Such repetitive, rhythmic routes suit tugger trains: one trip passes many stations, dropping full trolleys and collecting empty ones. Aisles see fewer forklifts and are safer for workers. The concept and route design are covered in electric tow tractors and tugger trains.
Suitable STILL tow tractors
STILL LTX 20: inside workshops, narrow aisles
The STILL LTX 20 is a compact tractor pulling heavy loads of up to 2 tons. With a width of only 600 mm it manoeuvres in the narrowest aisles – ideal between sewing lines. STILL explicitly describes the LTX 20 as ideal for tugger train solutions in lean production. A low step and ergonomic back rest with folding seat ease the many on-off movements per shift. Its speed per the product data is 8 km/h.
STILL LTX 50: long routes between buildings
The STILL LTX 50 tows trailers with overall weights of up to 5,000 kg down narrow aisles with high precision at a top speed of up to 14 km/h. The STILL Easy Drive steering wheel has an integrated display, and controls work with either hand. Large battery capacity makes it durable on long routes. It suits plants with several buildings running loop routes from a central store.
STILL LXW 20/30: carrying on board
The STILL LXW 20/30 combines a 3000 kg load platform with 6000 kg towing capacity and a speed of 23 km/h. Descent Speed Regulation adjusts travel speed to gradient and load. It suits industrial parks with sloping internal roads or moving maintenance materials and odd fabric rolls between distant areas.
Guide table: stage – model – reason
| Stage | STILL model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding cut bundles to sewing lines | LTX 20 | 600 mm wide, narrow aisles between lines |
| Collecting output to packing | LTX 20 | Short routes, frequent stops |
| Loops from central store to buildings | LTX 50 | Several trailers, higher speed |
| Sloping internal roads, materials | LXW 20/30 | Carries and tows, DSR on descents |
Designing a tugger route for a garment plant
- Survey demand: bundles and trims each line uses per hour, and output volume.
- Standardise carriers: trailers must match existing trolleys or racks to avoid re-handling.
- Draw routes and stops: one-way routes; stops must not block emergency exits.
- Set the rhythm: a fixed cycle so lines know when goods arrive.
- Pilot and adjust: measure real times before rolling out plant-wide.
Browse the STILL tow tractor range or return to the textile & footwear solutions page.
Frequently asked questions
Does a small single-storey garment workshop need a tow tractor?
For short routes with few trips, hand trolleys or electric pallet trucks may suffice. Tow tractors pay off with many trips on repeated routes.
Can trailers be supplied with the tractor?
Trailers must be chosen around each plant’s carriers. Share sample carriers to get a suitable configuration.
Can electric tow tractors run outdoors between buildings?
It depends on the model and surface. The LTX 50 suits long routes in production sites; the LXW has descent speed regulation. A route survey is recommended.
Want fewer forklift trips in the workshop? Send a quote request with a plant layout and each line’s feeding rhythm, or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70.