HUBTEX sideloaders
for long loads in narrow aisles
Sideloaders are the ultimate benchmark when it comes to transporting long loads. Wherever long goods are loaded, this industrial truck has a massive advantage over conventional lift trucks. What makes these forklifts superior is the fact that they can pick up long loads sideways and travel in narrow aisles.
As they pick up and transport their goods sideways, more aisles and thus more warehouse capacity can be created in the same area. Conventional forklift trucks, on the other hand, carry long goods in front of them during transport – the rows of racks must be correspondingly wider than the length of the goods to be transported. Approaching the long goods from the front is not necessary with a sideloader. The sideloader is also perfect for materials such as wooden boards, metal rods and pipes. One thing is certain: sideloader trucks offer many benefits to a warehouse.
As a manufacturer, we at HUBTEX differentiate between sideloaders with multidirectional steering and sideloaders with four-way steering in our range of industrial trucks. Nevertheless, the conventional sideloader with single-axle steering still has its justification. Multidirectional sideloaders, sideloaders with 4-way steering and conventional sideloaders - it is not easy to keep track of all these terms. Which is the right truck for your requirements depends on various factors. Indoor or outdoor use, the floor quality and the required mobility are just three of many selection criteria.
Benefit of sideloaders in comparison with front loaders
Due to the use of HUBTEX sideloader forklifts, narrow aisles can be easily navigated without any problems and the distance between the rows of racking reduced to a minimum. This creates space for additional rows of racking.
- up to 100% more warehouse area
- fast, safe and efficient
- reduced damage to goods / fewer breakages
The handling of long goods requires agile sideloaders. Narrow aisles and outdoor areas in particular pose particular challenges for many users. We will be happy to help you obtain the best possible solution for your application. Let us know your individual requirements with just a few clicks and entirely without obligation.
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Efficient transportation with sideloaders
Save money, space and time
Choosing the right sideloader truck depends on the area of application and the work to be conducted – all vehicle types are geared towards special areas of application.
Electric multidirectional sideloaders
The sideloader with multidirectional steering is the specialist for indoor use. Its high maneuverability and small tires enable it to work effectively in restricted space and make maximum use of the warehouse space. Outdoors, this sideloader is particularly effective on flat and paved ground.
Diesel/gas 4 way sideloader
Our 4 way sideloaders with diesel or gas drive are true all-rounders. Due to their compact dimensions, they can be used either as conventional lift trucks in block storage or as sideloader forklifts for long goods.
As they have larger elastic tires than the comparable electric sideloaders from HUBTEX, they are specialists for outdoor use where ground conditions are poor.
Sideloaders
The conventional sideloader is used outdoors. Thanks to its large tires, it is suitable for almost any terrain and offers benefits over long distances due to the higher speed. As a result, this sideloader also has a larger turning radius than the other models.
Sideloaders with multidirectional steering
The maneuverable specialist for indoor use
The sideloader with multidirectional steering is particularly suitable for indoor and mixed indoor/outdoor applications. As all the wheels are individually suspended, its direction of travel can be freely selected. Forwards, backwards, sideways, in a circle and also diagonal routes of travel are no problem for this sideloader. In addition, the travel motions merge smoothly into each other. The small wheels, small turning radius and low load arm height mean that it can also serve the entire warehouse area, including very low rows of racking. Thus, the sideloader with multidirectional steering has to lift significantly less when picking up the load from the lowest rack level. However, the very high lift height of this sideloader forklift also enables rows of racking more than 10 meters high to be used.
All these benefits facilitate use in confined spaces and very narrow rows of racking. In addition, the truck model offers the largest degree of individualization. The sideloader can be positively guided in the rows via an aisle guidance system. The operator protection can be ensured in an individualized manner via corresponding assistance systems. Furthermore, the driver's cab can also be ideally adapted to the respective application. With good floor/ground conditions, combined indoor and outdoor operation is also possible thanks to possible elastic tires. The vehicle can also be automated.
What makes our electrical multidirectional sideloader so unique?
Sideloader with 4 way steering
The versatile all-rounder for combined indoor and outdoor use
The sideloader with 4 way steering is designed for combined indoor and outdoor use, but particularly displays its strengths outdoors. As a rule, the lift truck has a three-wheel chassis with two small load wheels and a centrally configured driving wheel. As the wheels are individually installed in the frame and additionally driven, the vehicle is very maneuverable. The forklift can be steered forwards, backwards, sideways and in a circle. The medium load arm height as well as the elastic tires in the medium size also make the vehicle compatible with poorer floor and surface conditions. Nevertheless, the sideloader forklift model has a good turning radius and can also be used in more restricted areas.
The short frame length of the sideloader with fourway steering also enables pallet handling. The forklift also supports the lift height of 7.5 meters. As the main drive variant for these vehicles is diesel or gas, a combination of outdoor and indoor use is the primary option. These characteristics make this sideloader the most versatile of the three models: today conventional forklift truck for pallets indoors, tomorrow transporter for long goods outdoors.
Conventional sideloader:
the expert for outdoor operation
The conventional sideloader is most suitable for outdoor operation. The lift truck is equipped with four wheels. These are connected in pairs via two axles. Steering is via the front axle, with driving via the rear axle. The vehicle can move forwards and backwards. Thanks to the large tires and high wheel arm height, the conventional sideloader is equipped for transport over poor terrain.
The turning radius of the lift truck is larger, but greater distances can be covered more quickly. The reason for this is the higher top speed of the vehicle, which is about 20 km/h. The lift height of the sideloader is 6 meters. The variant is mostly operated via diesel. In recent years, however, the share of electric vehicles in this area has also increased. Due to the establishment of multidirectional and 4 way sideloaders, this conventional type is no longer manufactured by HUBTEX.
Sideloader variants in comparison
Sideloaders with multidirectional steering
4-wheel chassis
Multidirectional steering
(Forwards, backwards, sideways, circular and diagonal travel)
Small tire size
Elastic or polyurethane tires
for good to changing ground conditions
Small turning radius
Electric drive
Low load arm height
Longitudinal seat, transverse seat,
diagonal seat or stand-up cab
Narrow aisle width and width to edge of forks
Indoor as well as combined indoor/outdoor application
Long goods, boards, mixed goods or pallets
Maximum lift height in typical applications up to approximately 13,000 mm
Fork carrier tilt
Guide roller and guide rail, inductive track guidance, optical track guidance or fully automated
Mobile operator protection installation
Fully developed automation options, from partial to full automation
Sideloaders with 4 way steering
3-wheel chassis
4-way steering
(Forwards, backwards, sideways and circular travel)
Medium tire size
Elastic tires
for changing to poor ground conditions
Medium turning radius
Electric, diesel and gas drive
Medium load arm height
Transverse seat cab
(transverse to the load)
Larger aisle width and width to the edge of fork
Outdoor as well as combined indoor/outdoor application
Long goods, boards, mixed goods or pallets
Maximum lift height in typical applications up to approximately 7,500 mm
Lift mast tilt, fork carrier tilt
Guide roller and guide rail
No operator protection installation
Limited automation options
Conventional sideloader
4-wheel chassis
2-way steering
(forwards and backwards travel)
Large tire size
Pneumatic or elastic tires
For changing to poor ground conditions
Large turning circle
Electric, diesel and gas drive
High load arm height
Longitudinal seat cab
(lengthwise to the load)
Narrow to large aisle width and front part dimension
Outdoor application
Long goods, boards or mixed goods
Maximum lift height in typical applications up to approximately 6,000 mm
Platform tilt
Aisle guidance rare – if so, then via guide roller and guide rail
No operator protection installation
Limited automation options
We have the best solution.
Are you unsure which lift truck variant is most suitable for your company? We will find your ideal solution. Arrange a no-obligation consultation appointment with one of our specialists to find the best possible solution for your application.
Use of the sideloader
Practical examples
A sideloader has a narrow, usually weatherproof outdoor cab in the main direction of travel, which is equipped with a side-mounted lift mast with mast feed and a high load platform. In addition to the essential features such as load capacity and lift height, the tires are particularly decisive for its application.
The sideways pick up of the load is carried out via the mast by means of mast reachout, usually via two cylinders crossed one above the other with mast reach dampers at both end positions. The mast is pushed to the load. The platform tilt brings the chassis of the sideloader into the optimal position for picking up and protecting the load.
The essential components of a sideloader are:
- large tires for poor ground conditions and fast driving speeds as well as correspondingly high frame height
- Underfloor motors in the frame for minimum noise emissions and better weight distribution
- Usually, platform tilt, seldom mast tilt, for fast and easy load pick up and secure transport
- Driver’s cab with seat position in main direction of travel, sideways to the load
In contrast to other sideloader variants, sideloaders generally have platform tilting. These are cylinders installed on the platform side and corresponding to each other, which ensure constant compensation for uneven ground and keep the load safe and stable during transport. Tilting of the chassis brings the truck into the optimum position for load pick up and protection.
While the conventional sideloader is mainly used outdoors, such as at sawmills, the areas of application for the sideloaders with multidirectional steering or 4 way steering cannot be directly and clearly defined. The options are many. Below you will find two examples where we, as the manufacturer, have been able to solve problems for our customers.
Sideloader with multidirectional steering
Making optimum use of time and space indoors
The sideloader forklift with multidirectional steering can transport more than tubes, boards and rods. For example, it is also successfully used in mobile racking systems for efficient and space-saving storage. The combination alone has enabled a well-known logistics provider of components for wind turbines, road and rail transport as well as shipbuilding to reduce its required warehouse space by half. Optimization of travel routes within the warehouse has also generated significant time savings in the stacking and retrieval of goods. It is the maneuverability and versatility of the sideloader with multidirectional steering which makes this possible.
But even without further assistance, the sideloader with multidirectional steering facilitates considerable savings potential and thus room for investment. Adapting the fleet helps to increase warehouse capacities without having to build new warehouse space. The sideloader forklift with multidirectional steering is the ultimate benchmark when it comes to optimizing the warehouse indoors and saving time and space.
Sideloader with 4 way steering
Less fuel and lower emissions with better performance
Loading and unloading trucks, in narrow aisles or in block storage, you may encounter the sideloader with 4 way steering here – whether inside or outside. For even when handling goods, the sideloader is equipped for almost any floor or surface. No more rocking movements – and abrupt braking is no problem for the 4 way sideloader either. The goods reach their destination safely and with energy saved.
Different driving modes such as those of the HUBTEX DQ 45-X 4 way forklifthelped one company to reduce its average fuel consumption from 6 to 4.8 liters. The automatic speed increase in the 4 way sideloader provides the hydraulic system with only the exact energy required. Special engine technology also reduces exhaust gases and noise to enable indoor use. The example vehicle complied with the EPA Tier 4 final and EURO Stage 5 emission standards and reduced the emissions in comparison with the preceding model by 30 percent. This means that all goods – whether tubes, steel, pallets or boards – can be efficiently transported throughout the entire company.
The Hubtex DQ-X 4 way sideloader in operation
Are second-hand sideloaders a good alternative?
