Cartersville, GA ▬ Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT)
company, introduces its next-generation TUG MX4 lithium-electric baggage tractor. The TUG MX4 was designed and
engineered with extensive customer input to maximize uptime, simplify operation, extend service life, and easily
integrate future technologies and innovations, scaling to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
The TUG MX4 was built with direct customer feedback at every stage of its design process to address the real-world
operational needs of airlines, air-cargo operators, and ground handlers. Simplified operator controls, best-in-class
turning radius, electronically assisted service brakes, and an electronic parking brake make its operation simpler
than ever.
For durability in tough ramp operating environments, the TUG MX4 is built on a unibody steel frame with reinforced
½-inch body plating and a heavy-duty ¾-inch bumper. Inching controls allow for precise low-speed maneuverability at
airport gates.
At the TUG MX4’s core is an 80-volt lithium-ion direct drive system, designed and built with expertise gleaned from
TUG’s eight generations of 80-volt electric tractors. This design delivers more efficient energy use, reduces
maintenance, and consistently performs across mainline passenger and cargo duty cycles. It also eliminates
traditional hydraulics, for easier serviceability, increased run time, greater reliability, and simpler integration
with future electronic systems.
With a top speed of 15 mph, the TUG MX4 can tow up to 20,000 lbs. at 8 mph on grades of up to 9%, and up to 60,000
lbs. on flat ground. Flexible charging options, like interchangeable charging ports and available onboard chargers,
enable customers to easily integrate the
TUG MX4 into their operations wherever they are in their
electrification journey.
The TUG MX4 boasts several standard and available safety features, including its electronic parking brake, an amber
operational beacon, a state-of-charge indicator, work lights and visibility enhancements, and operator-protection
elements like hip & rear window guards. Together, these help improve awareness and reduce risk in busy ramp
environments.
“Designed with extensive input from our customers, the TUG MX4 represents a complete rethink of the legacy baggage
tractor,” said Tony LaCorte, Senior Director, Operations for Textron GSE. "It combines durability, simplified
systems, and lithium performance and sustainability into a platform that’s also ready for what’s coming next.”
“Its systems are built to adapt to future integrations of autonomy and emerging operational and safety innovations,”
LaCorte said. “It’s a scalable solution that can evolve alongside an operation, rather than requiring full
replacement down the line. The TUG MX4 will deliver dependable high performance today while preparing your operation
for the future.”
For additional information on the features and benefits of the TUG MX4, and to see the full range of TUG, Douglas,
Premier, and Safeaero equipment, visit textrongse.com.
Media Contact:
Brandon Haddock
bhaddock@textron.com
706.772.5931
About Textron GSE
Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc. is a leading global provider of ground
support equipment and service under the TUG™, Douglas™, Premier™, and Safeaero™ brands. Textron GSE offers a diverse
product lineup of conventional and towbarless pushbacks, baggage tractors, tow tractors, belt loaders, single and
dual operation de-icers, ground power units, and air-starts. These products are built in world-class manufacturing
facilities in Cartersville, Ga. and Trelleborg, Sweden, and serviced through airport service locations across the
world. Textron GSE is part of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) and operates as part of the Textron Specialized Vehicles
business. To learn more, visit textrongse.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global
network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions
and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel,
Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlooks or other
non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and
we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements.