A terminal tractor, known in the United States as a shag truck, shunt truck, spotter truck, spotting tractor, yard truck, yard shifter, yard dog, yard goat, yard horse, yard mule, yard jockey, yard spotter, hostler, or mule, is a kind of semi-tractor intended to move semi-trailers within a cargo yard, warehouse facility, or intermodal facility, much like a switcher locomotive is used to position railcars. In the United Kingdom they are known as terminal lorries or terminal trucks.

Characteristics

Distinctions between a terminal tractor and a regular tractor unit include:

• A single-person cab offset to the side of the engine.
• A full-height, sliding rear door for easy access to trailer connections.^[1]
• A very short wheelbase, usually with a solidly mounted rear axle.
• A low-power diesel, alternative fuel engine, or electric motor usually with an automatic transmission.
• A fifth-wheel coupling with an integrated lifting mechanism allows the semi-trailer's legs to remain in the lowered position during movement. 15 inches (380 mm) and 70,000 lb (32,000 kg) of hydraulic lift is typical.
• A rear window to create a 360-degree view

Since off-road versions do not have to drive on roads at highway speeds, a typical top speed is 25 miles per hour (40 km/h).

Electric terminal trucks

The global EV push has given rise to a large number of all-electric terminal truck manufacturers around the world. These trucks – used in both on-road and off-road fleet – claim to be zero-emission trucks.^[2] Some of the notable manufacturers include Renault, Volvo, MAN, Orange EV, Motiv, Autocar, Kalmar, and Tevva. Orange EV is one of the largest suppliers of zero-emission terminal trucks in the United States.^[3]