Choosing the Right Power Pusher for Your Industry: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction
In the vast world of Material Handling, ergonomics has been and will continue to be a top priority for many manufacturers. Why are ergonomics so important? Simply put, a safe employee is a happy employee. Furthermore, increasing productivity and efficiency within a business benefits it on a holistic level. Employers are always on the lookout for the products that can take their processes to the next level.
PowerPusher, a brand of electric tuggers, pushers, and lifts, is currently taking the material handling world by storm. Commonly used in industrial manufacturing, car dealerships, and aerospace industries, this product has helped thousands of companies save money on the daily transportation of goods from one place to another.
Because it can cater to multiple industries, it’s important to keep your application in mind when shopping for a power pusher. As with many equipment purchases, the style and type of equipment, as well as the add-on features, should apply to your specific industry and the needs of the company.
This guide is designed to provide key considerations and tips for making the right selection. If you still have questions after consulting this buyer’s guide, you can find more information on our PowerPusher category page or you can request more information from our experts by using our PowerPusher Request Form at the bottom of this page.
Section 1: Understanding the Role of Power Pushers
What Are Power Pushers?
As mentioned above, power pushers are electric tuggers, pushers, and lifts that are designed to move heavy objects more easily and ergonomically, and are typically used by industrial and automotive businesses.
While PowerPushers have been around since the late 1950s, many companies are just now learning and benefiting from the wide variety of applications and material-moving solutions this group of products brings to the table. Industries who have seen positive results from PowerPushers include:
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Car dealerships
- Aerospace
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers
- Warehouses and storage centers
- Healthcare facilities
PowerPushers can both push and pull items but may also require specific attachments depending on the application. Like other types of ergonomic equipment, PowerPushers improve efficiency, reduce labor costs and enhance safety. All of these benefits make PowerPushers a solid investment for many companies in those industries.
Section 2: Key Considerations When Choosing a Power Pusher
We offer many different PowerPusher products on our website. But which one is best for you? Here are some of the most important factors when choosing the right Power Pusher for your business:
- Load Capacity – What is the heaviest load the pusher will need to move? Different industries work with different size loads, so it’s important to know the heaviest load needed. Certain machines have higher load capacities than others. For example, a standard duty Automotive PowerPusher has a load capacity of 22,000 lbs, whereas a Super PowerPusher has a capacity of 120,000 lbs. Here’s a full table of PowerPusher products with respective capacities:
Product Name Load Capacity Automotive PowerPusher 22,000 lbs. Automotive Super PowerPusher 55,000 lbs. E-750 Trailer Mover 7,500 lbs. E-12K Trailer Mover 12,000 lbs. Heavy-Duty Trailer Mover 35,000 lbs. (Tires/Casters) 70,000 lbs. (Rails) E-750 Electric Wheelbarrow 1,000 lbs. PT 1.2 Electric Cart Mover 2,600 lbs. Automotive MFC-100 4,000 lbs. Dual-Motor Super PowerPusher 250,000 lbs. Extra-Duty PowerPusher 25,000 lbs. Hazardous Duty PowerPusher 25,000 lbs. – 150,000 lbs. MFC-100 PowerPusher 15,000 lbs. Power Tug 6,000 lbs. PowerPusher Dumpster Mover 500 lbs. – 6,000 lbs. PowerPusher Rail Mover 90,000 lbs. – 450,000 lbs. ET-105 Powered Lift Table 800 lbs. ET-100 Transporter 1,100 lbs.
2. Terrain and Surface Type: The type of environment in which a power pusher will be used in should be considered, as it can greatly affect the performance of the mover. For example, if you’re using the pusher outside on gravel, you’ll want to opt for a more aggressive tread, such as adding tire chains, that can grip the ground more effectively. To view what additional options are available for tires on the power pushers, review the spec sheets available in the resource tab on each product page.
3. Usage Frequency: Depending on how often you plan on using the ergonomic movers and how far you plan on pushing them, certain models will work better than others. All products are generally rated for the same distance of travel and will be in the 3-3.5 mile range per battery. When considering usage, ask yourself if the usage volume is greater than 3.5 miles between charging cycles. Typically, this is not the case. However, if it’s a continuous use application versus an occasional use application, a good solution is to opt for higher capacity battery option that can handle a larger capacity.
4. Power Source (Battery Life and Power Output): Majority of the PowerPushers have batteries with built-in battery chargers and the ability to be plugged into 115V outlets when not in use. The machines are also equipped with battery charge indicators for convenience. These machines can all be charged on 100-240 Volts AC, single phase, 50 or 60 Hz electrical service. The max amp draw can vary by machine, but it’s a maximum of 7.5 amps. It takes about 6-8 hours to charge the batteries and depending on the size of the load and the environment, these movers should last 2-6 miles in-between charges. Electric charging makes it easy to get power pushers back up and running quickly and improve productivity.
5. Safety Features: At their core, PowerPushers promote safety. By switching from manually pushing and pulling objects to using an electric drive system, you’re improving ergonomics and advocating for a safer work environment. These ergonomic machines are equipped with a variety of safety features depending on the product. Some of these include:
- Automatic Braking with Anti-Runaway – Automotive PowerPusher
- Programmable Control System that allows for speed adjustments based on the environment – Dumpster Mover
- Ergonomic Handles with hand guards – Dumpster Mover, E-12K Trailer Mover
- Motion Alert Beepers – optional on Dumpster Mover and Trailer Movers
- Motion Strobe Light – optional on Dumpster Mover and Heavy-Duty Trailer Mover
- Emergency Stop – E-750 Trailer Mover
All of these safety features are designed to prevent accidents and further improve productivity.
6. Customization and Accessories: Depending on the industry in which the power pusher is being used, different attachments or modifications need to be added to the equipment to suit unique operational needs. These can include specific types of hitches (ball, combo, flatbed, pintle hook, etc.) for the trailer movers or different types of attachments or latches (angle iron, box receiver, easy-latch) for the Dual-Motor Super PowerPusher. It’s important to note which attachments come standard with a machine versus which attachments are considered add-ons or recommended options. Reviewing the specifications can help you determine which options are necessary for your application.
Note: Custom options are available and a Barron Equipment specialist can assist in helping you find the perfect power pusher for your company.
Section 3: Matching Power Pushers to Industry-Specific Needs
One of the easiest ways to shop for a power pusher is to consider your industry when doing so. That’s because these products were designed with specific industries in mind. Here are some of the most popular industries that utilize power pushers, how they use them, and which products apply to those specific markets.
Automotive Industry: Car dealerships, auto service stations, body shops and vehicle manufacturers utilize electric car pushers to move a multitude of vehicles daily. This type of vehicle pusher can help by moving inoperable cars and trucks into service bays, transporting trailers full of cars throughout parking lots, relocating parts and shelving units, and more. The battery-powered vehicle mover can also enhance safety in vehicle movement. Here are the most popular products for the automotive industry:
Manufacturing and Warehousing: Introducing power pushers to your industrial manufacturing or warehousing business would be a true game changer. Transporting raw materials, finished goods, parts or other items across the floor can be dangerous and inefficient. Thanks to tuggers and pushers, companies can save a significant amount of time and money, as well as eliminate the need for other types of equipment such as forklifts and cranes. These PowerPushers are the most common in industrial manufacturing and warehousing:
Healthcare: Safety and efficiency are the most crucial factors to focus on when buying equipment for the healthcare industry. Power pushers can be used to safely move heavy medical equipment or supply carts, all while remaining quiet through hospitals, labs and cleanrooms. Thanks to their clean, battery-powered, zero emission tugs, power pushers also minimize the risk of contamination. They also increase productivity and maintain clean standards in highly controlled environments. Here are our most popular products for the healthcare industry:
Construction: The Construction Industry is no stranger to the use of industrial machinery and transporting heavy loads. Power Pushers can be used to effectively move heavy building materials on rough or uneven terrain, due to the ability to customize the wheels on certain pushers to allow for stronger traction. Some common applications for power pushers and tuggers on construction sites include transporting heavy building materials such as concrete beams and steel slabs, moving tools and supplies across job sites. They also excel at relocating equipment, storage racks, or components and pushing/tugging trailers, lifts, or construction vehicles. These are the top PowerPusher products for the construction industry:
Other common industries that use Power Pushers include:
- Agriculture
- Aviation & Aerospace
- Marine & RV
- Cables, Reels & Paper Rolls
- Ceramics
- Distribution
- Dumpster & Waste
- Food Manufacturing
- Ground Support Equipment
- Landscaping
- Railroad & Transit
You can filter PowerPusher products by industry by navigating to the PowerPusher category and selecting from the Industries in the filters on the left–hand side.
Section 4: Evaluating Vendors and Support Services
When purchasing any type of material handling equipment, it’s important to consider three important factors: the vendor’s reputation, after-sales support and warranty, and customer reviews and testimonials. Keeping these factors in mind will help you avoid unnecessary issues with products and services both during and after the purchase.
Vendor Reputation:
Companies should side with a vendor that has a solid track record in providing reliable power pushers and other material handling equipment. Consult the ratings for the company on Google and other reputable sites. Also, keep in mind that the manufacturer of PowerPushers, Nu-Star, is selective about which distributors they sell through and only select top-notch, reputable companies, such as Barron Equipment.
After-Sales Support and Warranty:
Upon purchasing material handling equipment, you’ll want to be assured that the company you purchased the equipment from can provide after-sales support, maintenance and warranties. Barron Equipment has a team of specialists trained on power pusher products that can answer questions, provide troubleshooting instructions, and even perform maintenance around the Midwest. We also offer a one-year warranty from the date of receipt on all parts of a PowerPusher product.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials:
Like the vendor reputation, but more product focused, customer reviews, case studies and testimonials can tell you a lot about products offered by a company. You’ll want to read through these to ensure the vendor’s equipment can meet your needs and reach out to the company for specific questions and customizations.
Section 5: Case Study
Case studies are a great way to get an understanding of how specific products can be applied and the positive outcome as a result of those uses. Check out our case study on a custom power pusher:
Case Study: HON Company Implements PowerPusher for Safe and Efficient Laser Table Movement
Industry: Office Furniture Manufacturing Challenge: Ensuring Safe and Efficient Movement of Heavy Laser Tables HON Company, a division of HNI Corp., faced a critical challenge
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has provided some guidance on purchasing a PowerPusher for your company. Remember the importance of considering load capacity, terrain, usage frequency and industry-specific needs when choosing your power pusher. We’d also encourage you to research thoroughly, evaluate vendors carefully, and prioritize long-term reliability and safety in your decision-making process.
For more questions about power pushers or any other type of material handling equipment, fill out the form below and a product specialist will be in touch soon!