An Introduction to Yard Tractors
While yard tractors aren’t the most well-known piece of loading equipment, they’re often an extremely helpful tool on loading docks and piers. However, if you’re unfamiliar with this impressive piece of machinery, we encourage you to check out our informative article below! In it, you’ll discover what exactly makes these trucks so special, how they’re meant to be used, and why you may need one on your work site.
What is a Yard Tractor?
Even if you’ve never heard of a yard tractor before, you’ve likely seen one in action! These small trucks are common occurrences in warehouses, loading docks, and cargo yards, and go by an incredibly versatile list of names, including terminal tractors, yard spotters, and yard trucks. Regardless of which term is used, all of these trucks tend to have a few key features in common. Not only are they incredibly small with impressive weight limits, but they’re extremely agile. They often have a single small cab built for one person, with very large windows for increased visibility. They also include a sliding door in the rear to provide quick access to cargo and can run on a variety of different fuel sources including gas, electricity, and diesel.
Should You Buy a Yard Tractor?
While yard tractors are incredibly helpful pieces of machinery, they really only have one use: to quickly and efficiently move semi and cargo trailers around loading areas. Because these trailers are so large and heavy, they’re notoriously difficult to maneuver. In fact, trying to place one in an exact location without a yard tractor could take hours—especially if the worksite is quite crowded. Thankfully, yard tractors have no trouble maneuvering around cluttered worksites and large objects, and will be able to carry even the heaviest of freight with ease thanks to their amazing weight capabilities.
If a yard tractor sounds like the perfect piece of machinery for you, we recommend visiting one of our many dealerships across the states of Colorado, Nevada, & Wyoming! Here at McCandless Truck Center we offer a number of helpful yard tractors for you to browse through as well as plenty of helpful services—including financing options, on-site service centers, and helpful parts departments!