The TUG MA-50 is a baggage tractor from Textron GSE’s MA line, built in gas and diesel versions. Its specs tell you what it can pull, where it fits and how fast it moves. This guide lays out the current numbers and explains what they mean for towing on a real ramp.
Quick answer: The TUG MA-50 is rated at 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of drawbar pull. It has a 6,250 lb GVW and a 15 mph governed top speed. It is 55 in wide and 120 in long with the rear hitch. Drawbar pull is a force rating, not a towing weight. Grade, surface and load set the real limit.
What Are the TUG MA-50 Specs?
The TUG MA-50 specs come from Textron GSE, which builds the MA line today. Textron rates the MA-50 at 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of drawbar pull and a 15 mph (24 km/h) governed speed (Textron GSE, 2026). It uses an automatic transmission. Victory’s MA-50 units run a current Textron-spec engine, with gasoline or diesel options.
| Spec | TUG MA-50 (Textron current spec) |
|---|---|
| Drawbar pull | 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) |
| Gross vehicle weight (GVW) | 6,250 lb (2,835 kg) |
| Standard weight | 3,750 lb |
| Governed top speed | 15 mph (24 km/h) |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Engine | Current Textron-spec engine, gasoline or diesel options |
| Width | 55 in |
| Length | 120 in with standard rear hitch |
| Height | 63.5 in without cab, 81.5 in with cab |
| Wheelbase | 59 in |
| Ground clearance | 6.5 in |
| Outside turning radius | 115 in |
Specifications are subject to change. Confirm the exact build of any unit with us before you commit. You can see the unit we list on our TUG MA-50 baggage tractor page.
Where the MA-50 Sits in the MA Line
The MA-50 is the second-heaviest of four MA models, one step below the MA-60. Textron rates the line at 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 lb of drawbar pull. The number in each model name tracks that rating in thousands of pounds. The higher the number, the heavier the cart train it is rated to pull.
| MA model | Rated drawbar pull | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|
| MA-30 | 3,000 lb | Light cart trains, short runs |
| MA-40 | 4,000 lb | Mid-size baggage operations |
| MA-50 | 5,000 lb | Loaded cart trains, mixed cargo and baggage work |
| MA-60 | 6,000 lb | Heaviest MA-line cart loads |
Victory lists the MA-50, which covers most baggage and light cargo work. If you are weighing options, our TUG MA-50 buyer’s guide covers what to check before you buy.
Drawbar Pull Explained: Why It Is Not a Towing Weight
Drawbar pull is the force a tractor can exert at its hitch, in pounds. It is a force rating. It is not the maximum weight of carts or aircraft the tractor can move. A tractor rated at 5,000 lb of pull can roll a much heavier load on flat, dry pavement.
How much heavier depends on three things. Rolling resistance rises with loaded carts, soft tires and rough or broken concrete. Grade matters most, because every incline adds part of the load’s weight to the pull needed. Traction sets the ceiling. A light tractor on a wet ramp will spin its tires before it reaches full rated pull.
The FAA notes how wide this range is across the industry. It says one maker’s tow tractors “range from 3,000 to 20,000 pounds drawbar pull” (FAA AC 00-65, 2010). The MA-50 sits near the light end of that range. Plan your cart train around the steepest grade and the wettest day, not the best case.
How Much Can a TUG MA-50 Tow?
A TUG MA-50 can tow a loaded baggage cart train on a typical ramp. No single published weight limit covers every case. Textron rates pull, not towed weight. Your safe load depends on cart count, cart weight, grade and surface.
A practical way to set your limit is to test your real route. Run a full train up your steepest ramp or tunnel grade. Watch for wheel slip, slow starts and hard braking on the way down. If any of these show up, shorten the train or step up to a heavier tractor.
Braking is the other half of towing limits. A 3,750 lb tractor has to stop everything behind it. Unbraked carts on a downhill grade push hard on a light tractor. Check that your carts and hitches match your site rules before you add more of them.
Need a TUG MA-50 on your ramp?
Buy, rent or lease a TUG MA-50 from Victory GSE in Los Angeles. Tell us your cart loads, grades and timeline, and we will help you match the right tractor.
TUG MA-50 Dimensions and Ramp Fit
The MA-50 is 55 in wide and 120 in long with its rear hitch, on a 59 in wheelbase. Those numbers matter most in tight baggage rooms, bag wells and covered make-up areas. Measure your spaces against them before a unit arrives.
Height is the dimension that catches people out. A cab adds about 18 in, taking the tractor from 63.5 in to 81.5 in. Check low doorways, bag belt housings and tunnel ceilings if you want a cab. The 6.5 in ground clearance also matters on steep ramp transitions and raised drain covers.
Turning is the last check. The 115 in outside turning radius lets the MA-50 swing around a bag room aisle in one move. With a cart train attached, the carts track inside the tractor’s path. Walk your tightest corner with a tape before you add carts to the train.
TUG MA-50 vs. TUG MH-50: Pull vs. Speed
The TUG MA-50 and the TUG MH-50 share the same rated pull but serve different jobs. Both carry a 5,000 lb drawbar pull rating. The MA-50 is governed to 15 mph for ramp work. Our TUG MH-50 utility tractor listing describes a high-speed tow tractor that runs up to 28 mph.
| Spec | TUG MA-50 | TUG MH-50 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated drawbar pull | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Top speed | 15 mph governed | Up to 28 mph |
| Best fit | Gate and bag room cart trains | Longer runs between terminals, cargo sheds or remote stands |
Pick the MA-50 for short, frequent moves near the gate. Look at the MH-50 if your tractors spend most of the shift on long airside roads. Both are listed with our other used baggage tractors for sale or rent.
Towing Aircraft: Where the MA-50’s Limits Are
The TUG MA-50 is built for baggage and cargo carts. It is not a pushback tractor. Light aircraft moves are possible only where the aircraft maker’s manual allows it. That manual sets towbar, weight and turning limits for each type.
The FAA says towing speed “should not exceed that of walking team members” (FAA AC 00-65, 2010). The same circular calls for a wing walker at each wingtip. Ground damage is costly. IATA projects yearly ground damage costs could double to nearly $10 billion by 2035 (IATA, 2022).
For narrow-body aircraft, use a pushback tractor sized for the job. The TUG GT-35 we list is rated from 16,000 to 28,000 lb of drawbar pull. Compare it with the rest of our used pushback tractors.
Buying, Renting or Leasing a TUG MA-50
You can buy, rent or lease a TUG MA-50 from Victory GSE. Buying suits operators who will run the tractor every day for years. Renting covers short-term needs, such as a seasonal peak or a new route. Leasing spreads the cost over time and keeps cash free for other equipment.
The specs above help you pick the right deal. If your loads are near the 5,000 lb rating every day, a long-term unit makes sense. If you only need extra pull for a busy season, renting can fill the gap. Tell us how you plan to use the tractor and we will suggest an option.
TUG MA-50 Specs FAQ
What is the drawbar pull of a TUG MA-50?
The TUG MA-50 is rated at 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of drawbar pull, per Textron GSE’s current specs. That is the force the tractor can apply at the hitch. It is not a towed-weight limit.
How much weight can a TUG MA-50 tow?
There is no single published towed-weight limit. The safe load depends on cart count, cart weight, grade and surface. Test a full cart train on your steepest route and watch for wheel slip or weak braking.
What are the TUG MA-50 dimensions?
The MA-50 is 55 in wide and 120 in long with the standard rear hitch. It stands 63.5 in tall without a cab and 81.5 in with one. Wheelbase is 59 in and the outside turning radius is 115 in.
How fast does a TUG MA-50 go?
The TUG MA-50 is governed to 15 mph (24 km/h). For longer airside runs at higher speed, look at a high-speed tow tractor such as the TUG MH-50.
Does the TUG MA-50 come in gas or diesel?
Yes. Victory’s MA-50 units run a current Textron-spec engine, with gasoline or diesel options. Ask us which fuel type suits your airport’s rules.
Can I rent or lease a TUG MA-50 instead of buying?
Yes. Victory GSE offers the TUG MA-50 for sale, rent or lease. Contact us with your workload and timeline, and we will help you choose.
Buy, rent or lease a TUG MA-50
The TUG MA-50 is listed at Victory GSE in Los Angeles for sale, rent or lease. Send us your towing needs and we will get back to you with options.
