A chemical production site usually consists of separate buildings: raw material stores, reaction and blending units, packing areas, finished goods stores and a waste holding area. Distances between them can be several hundred metres, partly because of safety separation. If every pallet is carried by its own forklift, the forklifts spend a lot of time driving back empty. An electric tow tractor pulling a train of trailers solves this: many pallets per trip on a fixed schedule, while forklifts stay at each end of the route to do the lifting.
Typical towing routes in a chemical plant
- Raw material store to production: powder bags, additive canisters and drum pallets supplied per shift.
- Packaging store to filling area: empty canisters, caps and cartons that are bulky but light, ideal for trailers.
- Collecting finished goods: pallets from several packing lines to a central store.
- Return trip: empty packaging, empty pallets and waste containers to the collection point, so they do not pile up in production.
The tugger train concept is explained in more detail in electric tow tractors and tugger trains.
Towing routes and hazardous areas
When designing routes, identify which areas are classified as having an explosion risk. The STILL source documents we hold do not show an explosion-protected version of the tow tractors in this article, so routes should stop at handover points outside those areas, and zoning must be based on an assessment under applicable regulations. Trailers carrying liquids need side walls or drip trays suited to the goods.
Choosing a STILL tow tractor by distance and load
STILL LTX 20: short routes inside buildings
The STILL LTX 20 tows up to 2,000 kg at up to 8 km/h and is only 600 mm wide, so it manoeuvres in narrow aisles between tanks and lines. The optional pedestrian mode spares the driver from constantly getting on and off at short stops.
STILL LTX 50: supply tugger trains
For longer supply routes, the LTX 50 pulls trailers with a total weight of up to 5,000 kg at up to 14 km/h. The STILL Easy Drive steering wheel has an integrated display and the electric steering self-centres; optional Li-Ion technology keeps the truck available around the clock.
STILL LTX 70: indoors and outdoors, with ramps
The STILL LTX 70 has 8000 kg towing capacity and 20 km/h, working indoors or outdoors. The automatic parking brake engages when the truck stops for safe starts on slopes, and the STILL Ramp Indicator shows the current gradient. It has three brake systems: electric, hydraulic and automatic parking brake. This suits routes linking buildings via ramps.
STILL LXW 20/30 and LXT 120/350: big loads, long routes
The STILL LXW 20/30 is both a tow tractor and a platform truck: 3,000 kg on the platform, 6000 kg towing capacity and 23 km/h. The LXT 120/350 tows up to 35000 kg. Both ranges have Descent Speed Regulation (DSR), which adjusts speed to gradient and load, plus the STILL Easy Control on-board computer.
Guide table: step – model – reason
| Transport route | STILL type/model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and additives inside buildings | LTX 20 | 600 mm wide, pedestrian mode |
| Raw material tugger train per shift | LTX 50 | Tows up to 5,000 kg, 14 km/h |
| Routes between buildings with ramps, outdoors | LTX 70 | 8000 kg towing, automatic parking brake, Ramp Indicator |
| Finished goods and waste over long routes | LXW 20/30, LXT 120/350 | Load platform, DSR on descents |
Implementation tips
- Separate flows: do not carry incompatible chemical groups on the same train; label trailers clearly.
- Fixed schedule: timed routes let production know when goods arrive and reduce stock in the plant.
- Visibility: LED daytime running lights and the optional Safety Light help pedestrians see the train from a distance.
See more models in the tow tractor category, and other truck types under forklift solutions for the chemical industry.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tow tractor replace a forklift?
Not entirely. The tractor covers the travel, while each end of the route still needs a forklift or pallet truck to unload and stack.
LTX 50 or LTX 70?
For indoor routes with moderate loads, the LTX 50 is more compact. For routes with ramps, outdoor sections and heavier loads, the LTX 70 is the better fit.
Can a tugger train pass through a solvent filling area?
Only if that area has been assessed as not hazardous. We make no claim that the tractors in this article have an explosion-protected version.
Need a towing route designed for your site? Send a request via the quote page or call 0902 63 79 70.