Oakland International Airport is offering more than a dozen small electric baggage tractors at auction, including older models listed for around $750 each. The vehicles are designed to tow luggage carts and cargo across airport tarmacs, but the low asking prices have prompted people online to speculate about uses beyond airport work.
The Oakland, California, auction includes 2008 Charlatte T137 electric baggage tug models, according to the New York Post. The manufacturer describes the Charlatte T-137 as a tow tractor for material-handling carts and dollies, with a maximum empty speed of 18 mph, a 40-horsepower AC motor and a 4,000-pound drawbar capacity, according to Charlatte America's specification sheet. AviationPros describes the T-137 as a battery-powered AC tractor for towing baggage, freight, mail, carts and cargo dollies, and says hundreds are in service worldwide.
Why the Tugs Caught the Internet's Eye
The New York Post reported that online users were weighing the low price against possible personal or commercial uses. One Reddit user imagined paying $700 to drive a tug around the neighborhood; commenter Shannon Jean questioned what kind of money-making use could justify buying one.
The Post also reported that one user's family had converted a baggage tug into a snowplow for a long driveway, while another commenter recalled a father who worked for years as an airport equipment mechanic. The auction appears to include 2008 models. The Post described the sale as part of routine fleet retirement, with government agencies and municipal airports regularly auctioning aging ground-support equipment.
Not the Only Surplus Tug on the Market
Other surplus ground-support equipment is also appearing at auction. The New York Post reported that an AllSurplus sale offered a 2006 TLD 929 diesel cargo loader from Indiana for $4,500, and that Boise Airport appeared to be selling several baggage tractors for $500 apiece. The Post said it had contacted Oakland International Airport for comment on the sale.
Oakland's Ground-Fleet Transition
The cited Port of Oakland project narrative discusses UPS delivery trucks; it does not substantiate a 70% electrification figure for airport ground-support equipment. Charlatte America's product pages list other baggage tractors capable of 15 to 20 mph when empty, including one model rated for a 5,000-pound drawbar pull.
What Oakland's electrification record shows
A separate 2017 project offers a documented measure of Oakland International Airport's ground-fleet transition. The Port of Oakland said improvements at OAK would support the conversion of 17 baggage tractors, 16 belt loaders and six aircraft pushback tractors.
The auction's low prices and the tugs' towing capacity help explain their appeal beyond airport operations. Whether buyers can put the retired tractors to work—or simply find a place to drive them—remains the question behind the online interest.
