KAMAG Transporttechnik GmbH & Co. KG

TowBear TT from Ulm moves Airbus A 380 in Frankfurt

When the world´s largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A 380, recently landed in Frankfurt/Main for the first time, it was also the first real operational assignment for the TowBear aircraft tractor.

The TowBear, built by the Ulm-based special vehicle manufacturer KAMAG Transporttechnik, easily survived its baptism of fire on this very important occasion and move the giant bird for the first time on the airport area.



You could almost feel the tension in the air as the gigantic A 380 touched down for the first time in Frankfurt. Everyone involved with this plane, both in the past as well as the future, had been waiting impatiently for this moment because, up to this point, all handling and service systems for this aircraft could only be gone through in theory – practise on the real thing was out of the question. Whether it was the power supply, baggage handling or the in-flight catering, everyone and everything now had the opportunity to prove that the theory also functioned properly in reality.



Naturally, the level of tension and excitement was also extremely high with the Ulm special vehicle manufacturer, KAMAG Transporttechnik GmbH & Co. KG, which had already supplied Frankfurt airport with two large TowBear TT aircraft tractors. Both these vehicles were fully equipped for A 380 ground handling. Likewise, as all previous trials and tests could only be carried out in theory, it was a thrilling moment as the KAMAG TowBear TT was coupled for the first time to the nose wheel of an A 380 with a push-pull drawbar.



After the first shunting manoeuvres had been completed, it was clear that the TowBear TT had handled the task in hand with considerable ease. Subsequent continuous load tests by means of towing activities lasting for hours also were successfully completed. They were designed to show, for example, that the oil temperature of the hydrostatically-driven vehicles remained within the prescribed range also when subjected to non-stop testing. Performance characteristics such as pushing capability, traction and finely-adjustable drive were comprehensively put through their paces, to name but a few from the extensive test record checklist.



Bernhard Scholz, project manager at FRAPORT AG Ground Services awarded the TowBear top marks in all respects, We carried out all imaginable shunting and driving manoeuvres and also put the TowBear TT through demanding long-haul tests. The tractor proved itself in all instances and, without exception, fulfilled all demands placed on it. The vehicle is not only called as such, but is indeed just as a strong as a bear.”



In the meantime, in the Ground Support Equipment sector - this includes all vehicles and equipment required at airports which make air traffic possible - KAMAG has earned itself an outstanding international reputation. Apart from the aircraft tractor, KAMAG also supplies airport catering vehicles. In the space travel industry, too, KAMAG is one of the leading manufacturers of special vehicles for special and demanding transportation tasks.





Picture attachment:

The KAMAG TowBear TT is connected to the nose wheel of the A 380 by means of a push-pull drawbar.



KAMAG Transporttechnik

Transporters from KAMAG are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and special product quality. Reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long working life make the vehicles a very important component of modern logistical operations. The history of vehicle technology for heavy transport vehicles is closely connected with the name of KAMAG. It belongs to the group of companies owned by the Heilbronn industrialist, Otto Rettenmaier. Within the group, the TII – Transporter Industry International heavy-load division is global market leader.