A terminal tractor, also known as a shunt truck, spotter truck, spotting tractor, yard truck, yard shifter, yard dog, yard goat, yard horse, yard bird, yard jockey, hostler, or mule, is a semi-tractor that moves trailers and containers within a cargo yard, warehouse facility, or intermodal facility, much like a switcher locomotive is used to position railcars.
A yard truck is built to accommodate a hydraulic lifting fifth wheel allowing the operator to move and lower the trailers without exiting the cab or the need to cranking the landing gear. A yard goat can normally move three units in the same amount of time that a standard tractor would move one unit.
If you need to increase driver productivity then you might be looking for a terminal tractor. The easiest way to figure out if you are in need of a truck is to track the time your drivers spend cranking up trailers prior to hooking up. If you notice that the drivers are spending a lot of their time hooking up trailers instead of moving more containers, then you need to look at a yard goat solution.
If your answer requires additional support when moving your containers or trailers with typical truck tractors. Then consider the numerous yard truck advantages; it is extremely efficient and cost-effective. Other options include renting a yard truck short-term, long-term, or lease-to-own.
Flexible daily, weekly, monthly and longer-term rental agreements. Get through breakdowns or spikes in you workload.
Choose from Long and Short term Truck lease agreements. Licensed and off highway vehicles models are available based on your application. Southwest offers TICO brand Yard Spotters. Ask us for a Demo or a quote.
Keep your fleet of yard trucks running at optimal levels during your busiest times of the year. Southwest offers Parts, Service and Full Maintenance programs for all brands and models of terminal tractors. Mobile repairs and service are also available. Find the parts you need thru Southwest, the #1 Part distributor on the West Coast.
Contact your local Yard Goat Headquarters in Southern California and Nevada, Southwest ToyotaLift.