What Is A Side Loader Forklift?

Not to be confused with standard front-lifting forklifts, side loaders have a platform that enables them to lift and carry from either the right or left of their chassis. This makes them ideal for narrow aisles and limited spaces, improving their usability in the timber, steel, and warehouse management industries. 

In this post, we will take a closer look at the side loader forklift, its primary applications, differences vs. traditional forklifts, and why it would be beneficial to use such a type of lift truck in your operations.

 

What is a side loader?

A side loader is a type of lift truck that moves long, heavy goods such as timber, pipes, or steel from the side. As opposed to traditional forklifts, side loaders have a platform and forks mounted on the side, enabling them to navigate in narrow spaces and tight aisles easily. 

This one-of-a-kind design makes them ideal for handling tactless, hard-to-convey or oversized pieces of goods that don’t transmit easily on regular forklifts. Due to this, they are found in industries such as construction, manufacturing and warehousing — where cargo stability is crucial, especially at high heights.

 

What is a side loader forklift used for?

This side loader forklift is typically used in material handling, especially in industries where the movement of long or heavy loads needs to be done safely and efficiently. It is ready to pick up and drop shipping containers or other kinds of cargo straight from the ground, making loading and unloading easy. 

A side loader also serves as a mobile lifting device in intermodal transport, transferring containers from trailer to trailer and rail to truck. It is also ideal for road transport, offering a cost-effective solution for both lifting and transporting containers. Side loaders can carry a stack of containers, and hence, the entire cargo space can be double-stacked, which will add security to the load.

 

The key differences between a side loader and a traditional forklift

What makes a side loader different compared to a conventional forklift is the way it lifts loads. The standard forklift moves materials with its forks from the front and is relatively well-suited to palletised goods but less so for long, bulky goods. 

On the other hand, a side loader lifts from the side, which makes it easier to handle long loads like timber or pipes. This side-loading feature makes it suitable for manoeuvring through tight aisles or where space is constricted. Furthermore, side loaders offer greater load stability for all sizes of materials and standard-sized loads compared to traditional forklifts.

 

Why should you use a side loader forklift?

• Efficient handling of long loads: Side loaders are ideal for transporting long, bulky materials like timber, steel, and pipes, which can be challenging for traditional forklifts. 
• Space-saving manoeuvrability: Designed for narrow aisles and tight spaces, side loaders can operate where traditional forklifts may struggle, maximising warehouse storage capacity.
• Improved load stability: These forklifts’ side-loading capabilities provide better stability and balance when handling oversized or awkwardly shaped loads.
• Versatile applications: They can be used for ground-to-ground lifting, transferring loads between trucks or rail wagons, road transport, and even container stacking.
  
• Increased efficiency: Side loaders can complete lifting and transporting tasks more quickly, reducing operational downtime.

 

Choose Alto Handling for side loader forklifts

Looking for a side loader forklift for your business or other needs? Alto Handling has you sorted. We have the perfect Baumann side loader, which offers you all the benefits needed to move bulky items safely and efficiently. Contact one of our experts today about renting or buying a side loader forklift.