[Part 1 of the Equipter Tow-A-Lift Solution Article Series]
Moving heavy equipment at outdoor sporting events has its own unique challenges. One of the most important factors in working at outdoor event locations is maintaining the grounds when moving equipment around. Golf courses, football fields, and other event grounds have manicured landscaping that cannot be disturbed. Uneven terrain, access limitations, and the need for ground protection are all complications intrinsic to sporting event logistics.
These are some of the logistics issues that the security team at the 2024 Solheim Cup in Gainesville, VA faced. How can they move supplies from post to post around the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club efficiently during an international golf event without causing damage to the grounds? The security team used the Equipter Tow-A-Lift, the innovative towable forklift that enables crews to tow a forklift from site to site without the need of a trailer or specialized truck.
The Equipter Tow-A-Lift is built to handle uneven terrain without leaving indentations and ruts on landscaping. The Equipter Tow-A-Lift is outfitted with large drive tires, the same drive tires used on the Equipter 4000, the industry standard tool in debris capture and removal. The Tow-A-Lift has a wide base, distributing weight as it moves across grass, dirt, and gravel surfaces. The Equipter Tow-A-Lift is safer on surfaces than tracked vehicles and is much more efficient than moving materials with all-terrain dollies and heavy-duty hand trucks.
The Equipter Tow-A-Lift has a width of 6’7”, allowing it to operate in areas with limited access. The Tow-A-Lift can easily maneuver on cart paths and service roads, enabling delivery logistics to places pickup trucks and delivery vans cannot drive. The slim footprint of the Equipter Tow-A-Lift allows for similar access as Utility Task Vehicles while being able to transport much larger loads, as much as 3,500 lbs. The Tow-A-Lift’s tight turning radius allows for crews to move materials in confined spaces such as inside tents.
One of the defining features of the Equipter Tow-A-Lift is its remote controlled operation. This feature allows the operator to view the Tow-A-Lift from any angle as it is lifting or moving loads. This unprecedented visibility increases user safety and allows the operator to also act as a spotter when lifting materials or navigating tight areas. After using the Equipter Tow-A-Lift for security logistics at the 2024 Solheim Cup, Patrick Scheungrab told us “360 degree visibility is definitely a must”. The Tow-A-Lift has an 8 foot reach, allowing it to lift materials onto and off of stake bed trucks, cargo vans, or pickup truck beds. The remote controlled operation enables the user to inch up to vehicles, lower the unit’s outriggers, and watch to ensure loads that are being picked up are secure.
The game-changing feature of the Equipter Tow-A-Lift is its ability to be towed by a pickup truck from site to site. The Tow-A-Lift’s tow mode allows for transport without loading it onto a trailer or attaching it to a specialized cargo vehicle. Simply hitch the Tow-A-Lift to a pickup and drive to the next location. The tow mode feature enables greater flexibility with event service logistics, allowing crews to do more work with less equipment.
The Equipter Tow-A-Lift is a new member of the Equipter line which has had broad applications in material handling. The Equipter 5400 is a towable mobile crane that safely operates on grass and turf. The Equipter 5400 has a 4,431 lb lift capacity and has a maximum reach of 23 feet. Materials can be transported on the diamond plated work bed of the Equipter 5400 that can be outfitted with modular removable side panels. Over the years, the Equipter 5400 has become an indispensable tool for groundskeepers and can be used to move oversized or heavy materials on football or baseball fields without leaving indentations on the playing surface.
For more information on the Equipter Tow-A-Lift, including full specs and a load chart, please visit the Tow-A-Lift product page.