Kawasaki K3VL provides the lift for Douglas Equipment

Douglas Equipment Limited which is located in Cheltenham, UK, was founded in 1947 and has become one of the leading suppliers of aviation towing tractors with units in operation throughout Europe, Scandinavia, North America, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and the Far East.

The Douglas-Kalmer product range includes a number of different sized tractors to accommodate the various weights and size of aircraft. The latest addition is the TBL MK3 which has been operational since the beginning of 2001.

The energy saving variable displacement load sensing K3VL provides the necessary flow and pressure requirements to quickly lift and control the towing tractors' cradle. The largest in its range, the TBL400 has a lift capacity of 45,000kgs and the capability of towing a fully laden B747-400.

When manufacturing the TBL-180, Douglas Equipment Limited insisted on using only well-proven and reliable parts that are in volume production by well known manufacturers. It is for this reason along with its pioneering noise reduction technology, high efficiency, controllability and extended pump life, that the K3VL 80 axial piston pump was the perfect choice and is now fitted as standard to this range of tow bar less aircraft handling tractors.

The next milestone for aircraft towing and push back tractors will be to handle the large modern aircraft that will be taking to the skies in an attempt to carry passengers upwards of 600 people, such as Airbus A380, coming into service from 2005.

Watch this space for more Kawasaki pump application success with these projects.