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.

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, backward, sideways, in a circle, and also diagonal routes of travel are no problem for this sideloader. In addition, the travel motions merge smoothly with 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, this side loader forklift's very high lift height 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. 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, the combined indoor and outdoor operation is also possible thanks to possible elastic tires. The vehicle can also be automated.

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.

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 the 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 pickup and protection.

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.

Loading and unloading trucks, in narrow aisles or 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 the energy saved.

Different driving modes such as those of the HUBTEX DQ 45-X 4-way forklift helped one company to reduce its average fuel consumption from 6 to 4.8 liters. The automatic speed increase in the 4-way side loader 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.