How we started
During the 1950’s, Peter Dobson, began working on manufacturing productivity projects for the Production Engineering Research Association. Now known as The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Peter led projects focused on improving factory efficiency, contributing to the organisation’s place at the forefront of manufacturing technology in the UK.
Peter identified a need for efficient materials handling equipment in factories, particularly concerned with safe and efficient handling of long loads. Designs for a multi-directional transport system were patented and specialist forklift manufacturer Sidetracker Engineering was formed in 1963 with Peter Dobson as chairman.
The first multi-direction forklifts were manufactured by Peter’s team, part time, in an old stable. The earliest trucks were unpowered, push-along models. However, the unique multi-wheel design delivered unrivalled manoeuvrability, allowing trucks to easily move sideways, forwards, and backwards.
The History of Side Loader Forklifts
Since its earliest days in the 1960’s, Sidetracker has been responsible for several technical advances in the field of materials handling. The company ethos has steered its engineers towards developing practical solutions to ever-evolving handling challenges.
The UK’s first rail guidance system, designed in the 1980’s, is widely attributed to Sidetracker Engineering. More recently, the technology is incorporated into the latest side loader forklift design, delivering joystick controlled all-wheel steering.
In the world of specialist materials handling, the Sidetracker name has become synonymous with long term reliability. The rugged simplicity of battery powered side loader forklifts means they are able to operate both indoors and outdoors, in all weathers. Side loader forklifts from Sidetracker are now widely used as multi-purpose load handlers, in addition to narrow aisle warehouse duties.
Most Reliable Handling Technology
Many of the design principles first developed by Peter Dobson are still applied to side loader forklifts today. Since the earliest days as a forklift manufacturer, reliability has been paramount to Sidetracker design. Unlike general purpose forklift trucks, a high proportion of customers need only to operate a single Sidetracker forklift.
Sidetracker design principles led to us only using components from tier-1 suppliers which can be seen by the inclusion of Schabmuller AC motors and Zapi controllers. Hydrostatic drives in Sidetracker forklifts deliver maximum performance on inclined gradients, rough surfaces and weather conditions. Sidetrackers have suffered flood water up to a depth of 900mm and been operational. The specification of Sidetracker’s latest forklift models are more versatile than ever, with load capacities of up to 15,000kg and lift heights up to over 10m.
