Yard Spotters News, Videos, and Information

Yard spotter trucks — semi-tractors that are made to move semi-trailers around a cargo yard, warehouse or intermodal facility — are known by a number of other names in the United States. Also called shunt trucks, spotting tractors, yard trucks, yard dogs, yard goats, yard horse and yard jockeys (among others), these operate similarly to a switcher locomotive positioning railcars. Yard spotter trucks differ from regular road trucks in several manners, including a very short wheelbase and a fifth-wheel coupler with an integrated lifting mechanism. This coupler enables the trailer’s legs to remain lowered during movement. Popular manufacturers include Autocar, Capacity Truck, Hoist Liftruck, Tico, Kalmar Ottowa, Orange EV, Effenco and Terberg. If you are looking to purchase a yard spotter truck, visit the yard spotters’ equipment page on Construction Equipment Guide’s website. You can find new and used yard spotters for sale from the leading equipment manufacturers right here.