TBL 50

The TBL 50 is Kalmar Motor's entry-level towbarless tractor, designed for regional turboprops and jets — ATR, CRJ, Dash 8, Embraer, SAAB — and extending with limitations to the B737 and A320 series. At 11,000 kg cradle lift capacity it is the lightest and most compact model in the TBL range, with an overall width of 2,440–2,500 mm and a minimum dry weight of 6,000 kg, making it particularly suited to tight regional aprons and stands where larger tractors cannot manoeuvre.

Three powertrain variants are offered. A four-cylinder Stage 5 diesel produces 95 kW through a DANA-Spicer T12000 torque-converter transmission. The hybrid-electric combines a 78 kW AC motor with a 22 kW diesel unit and a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. The full-electric draws from a lithium-ion pack rated at 78 kWh through an onboard 380 V three-phase charger. Both electric variants share the same DANA-Spicer transfer case.

A distinguishing feature is the F.A.C.T. (Force And Control Technology) system — fitted as standard — which continuously monitors tow force, braking force, turning forces, and steering angles during pushback. This provides a real-time record that protects both the aircraft nosegear and the operator, and is increasingly relevant to airlines and ground handlers adopting data-driven damage-prevention programmes. The electric variant's turning radius of 7,750 mm (versus 10,080 mm for the diesel) gives it a tighter footprint on congested aprons, a measurable advantage during high-frequency regional operations.