The Ground Handling Blog

Mototok Spacer 8600 NG pushback tugs rolling fresh off the production line come with a new and upgraded nose gear capture system. The new system further enhances the safety and efficiency of the capture process, taking the performance of this state-of-the-art solution for terminal pushback operations to the next level. Learn more about the new features and advantages of the upgraded nose gear capture system compared to the previous one.

The new nose gear capture system is, in fact, not even the only upgrade the Spacer 8600 NG pushback tug received lately. Mototok only recently introduced the new T6 remote control, which further improves its already industry-leading maneuverability. In our blog post “New Remote Control for Mototok Spacer 8600 NG Pushback Tug”, we have already discussed the new features of the advanced remote control, and how you benefit from them when pushing back the aircraft. Here, we will focus on the second upgrade: What can you expect from the new nose gear capture system?

Automatic Nose Gear Loading With the Mototok Spacer 8600 NG Pushback Tug: How Does It Work?

The automatic nose gear loading system is one of the central features with which Mototok tugs outperform other aircraft tugs in the industry. Thanks to this hydraulic and sensor-controlled system unique in this class of aircraft tugs, loading and unloading the nose wheel is easy, quick, and safe with a Mototok pushback tug. Before we dive into the differences between the new capture system for the Spacer 8600 NG and the previous one, let’s first take a quick look at how the nose wheel pick-up works:

Automatic Hydraulic and Sensor-Monitored Nose Gear Loading: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Step: Drive the Mototok pushback tug towards the nose wheel of the aircraft

First, the operator by radio remote simply drives the pushback tug with the hydraulic door opened and lowered platform towards the aircraft’s nose wheel, until the nose wheel touches the inner wedge of the tug’s nose wheel platform. Then, the operator presses the start-button on the remote control to start the automatic loading sequence.

By the way: The nose wheel can be picked up from all angles, and the Mototok tug can be turned on the spot around its own axis. Then the usual loading process can begin.

2. Step: Hydraulic door closes

Next, the hydraulic door closes automatically.

3. Step: The nose wheel is automatically fixated

Then, the closed hydraulic door is pulled up to a specific pressure on the nose wheel, and the wheel is hydraulically secured between the sliding table’s wedges. The safety paddles lower automatically upon the nose wheel. With this automated process, fixing different nose wheel diameters is no problem with a Mototok.

4. Step: Lifting up the nose wheel

In the next step, a double-tap on the remote control activates safety lift and the fully hydraulic platform automatically lifts up and raises the nose wheel of the aircraft.

5. Step: Ready for take-off

Now, the operator is ready for moving the aircraft and pushback can commence. The entire docking process is completed within a matter of seconds.

What New Features Does the Upgraded Nose Gear Capture System for the Spacer 8600 NG Pushback Tug Offer?

The future of aircraft pushback is here: We have great news for everyone currently considering to implement a Mototok Spacer 8600 NG into their airline’s pushback operations: A new nose gear capture system is available for Spacer 8600 NGs rolling off the production line just now. While the previous system was already great, the upgraded nose gear capture system is even safer and more efficient, making Mototok’s flagship pushback tug even better.

The New Features of Mototok’s Upgraded Nose Gear Capture System

The new nose gear capture system for the Spacer 8600 NG is hydro-pneumatic, just like the previous one. The hydraulic door and the gimbal-mounted cradle for compensating the tilt of the nose gear while turning, remain functionally the same as well. So, what features are new? Here are the main differences between the two capture systems:

1. When the operator drops the cradle and opens the hydraulic door to begin the nose wheel capture process, the safety paddles will initially remain down with the new capture system. In contrast, in the old capture system, the roller paddles would raise to receive the nose wheel.
2. As the operator drives the Spacer 8600 NG pushback tug forward to position the nose wheel of the aircraft inside the mouth of the cradle, the roller paddles will begin to automatically climb the wheels. The hydraulic door will close and the sliding table will secure the nose wheel from both sides. Meanwhile, the roller paddles further climb up the aircraft’s nose wheel to the final, secure position. This system provides added safety as the nose gear is always being secured from 3 points of contact during the capture process.
3. Once the nose wheel of the aircraft is fully secured, the process of lifting up and raising the nose wheel is essentially the same with both capture systems.
4. When unloading the nose gear, the roller paddles will automatically climb down the nose wheels as the sliding table releases the wheels.
5. Reversing the pushback tug, the nose gear release is complete and the roller paddles rest in the lowered position.

Enhanced Safety and Efficiency thanks to the New Capture System

Thanks to its new features, the upgraded nose gear capture system for the Spacer 8600 NG further enhances the safety and efficiency of the automatic nose gear loading process in the following three ways:

1. First, the new capture system enhances aircraft safety by continuously providing 3 points of contact with the nose wheels.
2. Second, the new capture system even further simplifies the capturing logic of the machine when capturing the nose wheel of the aircraft, thereby improving efficiency.
3. Third, with the new system, the roller paddles no longer raise to receive the nose wheel, but climb the nose wheels during the capture process instead. The paddles remain low and only climb the nose wheel once it has been positioned inside the mouth of the cradle. This significantly enhances safety by preventing contact with any possible obstructions.

What Are the Main Advantages of an Automatic Nose Gear Loading System for Pushback Tugs?

Pushback tugs with an automatic nose gear loading system outperform other tugs in terms of safety, efficiency, and simplicity of use. How a tug connects to the nose gear is, therefore, one of the key criteria worth considering when selecting the right aircraft towing tools for your ground handling operations. Here is a brief overview of the three key advantages of pushback tugs with an automatic nose gear capture system:

1. Advantage: Ease of Use

Remote-controlled, towbarless, and with an automatic nose gear loading system, the Spacer 8600 NG pushback tug is highly convenient in its usage. The automatic capture system simplifies the process of loading and unloading the nose gear, making it as easy as tapping a button on the remote control.

2. Advantage: Increased Time Efficiency

Thanks to the automatic capture system of Mototok pushback tugs, the entire nose gear capture process takes only 10 to 15 seconds – there is no quicker way. This optimizes time efficiency, enabling faster pushbacks and tighter turnarounds, significantly reducing delays and saving airlines considerable costs.

Conventional tractors with a tow bar and other towbarless tugs require aircraft-specific tow bars or awkward straps, inconvenient winches, adapters, bolts or tools to connect to the aircraft, adding an unnecessary level of complexity to your pushback operations. In each case, the process of engaging and disengaging the nose wheel is time consuming, cumbersome, and requires physical effort, making spontaneous maneuvers impossible. Additionally, storage capacity for tow bars and clutter in and out of the hangar is necessary.

With the Spacer 8600 NG all of this is a relic of the past: The pushback tug is compatible with most narrowbody aircraft up to 105 tonnes or 231,485 lbs and connects automatically and hands-free to the nose wheel, with just a push on a button of the remote control.

3. Advantage: Unparalleled Safety

The Spacer 8600 NG’s automatic hydro-pneumatic nose gear capture system with advanced sensor-control is virtually fail-safe. Various safety features ensure maximum safety when loading and unloading the aircraft’s nose wheel. For instance, the pushback tug automatically moves at reduced speed when approaching the aircraft with its door opened, thanks to a controlled low-speed approach; and the sensors on the sliding wedge are engaged to stop the tug upon contact with the nose wheel. Every single step of the nose gear loading process is sensor-monitored and the next step only starts once a sensor has confirmed that the previous one is complete.

The upgraded nose gear capture system enhances safety even further: It continuously provides three points of contact with the nose wheels and the refined safety paddles remain low, only climbing the nose wheel when already positioned inside the mouth of the cradle, thereby preventing any damage to the aircraft caused by contact with obstructions.

The hands-free nose gear capture process, moreover, eliminates the risk of damage to the aircraft and the risk of injury that results from the physical effort required to (dis-)connect the nose wheel with other tugs. This significantly enhances both aircraft safety and operational safety.

Conclusion: Enhanced Safety and Efficiency With the Upgraded Nose Gear Capture System for the Spacer 8600 NG

Fully-electric, towbarless, and remote-controlled, the Mototok Spacer 8600 NG redefines pushback operations with unrivaled safety, efficiency, and simplicity of use. Recently, Mototok’s flagship pushback tug received two upgrades taking its performance to an entirely new level: the new T6 remote control which further improves its industry-leading maneuverability, and the new nose gear capture system which offers next-level safety and efficiency for the automatic nose gear pick-up process.

The hydraulic and sensor-controlled nose gear capture system of the Spacer 8600 NG is unique in this class of pushback tugs. With the new features of the upgraded capture system, loading and unloading the nose wheel is quick, virtually fail-safe, and as easy as pushing a button on a remote control.

Looking to optimize your pushback operations with the Mototok Spacer 8600 NG featuring the upgraded nose gear capture system? Just reach out to us, we are happy to discuss the best options for your fleet with you.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions on the Nose Gear Capture System of Mototok’s Pushback Tug Spacer 8600 NG