At Sidetracker Engineering, we pride ourselves on the reliability, efficiency, and safety of our material handling products, delivering bespoke side loader fork truck solutions that solve unique customer challenges – whatever the task.
Our Side Loader Forklifts
At Sidetracker Engineering, over 6 decades of expertise and experience have gone into the development of our revolutionary side loader forklift range. We keep our design simple for ultimate reliability, keeping UK and international operators safe and productive. With customisable options tailored to your needs and budget, Sidetracker is here to help you transform material handling in your facility.
We recognise the importance of maintaining the safety and well-being of your workforce, as well as the integrity of your premises, equipment, and products. That’s why we provide 3-wheel and 4-wheel side loader lift trucks, which are available as seated or stand-on and operate seamlessly in the narrowest aisles with high load stacking precision.
Our forklift side loaders will perform consistently in all weather conditions, including on wet surfaces up to a certain depth, thanks to their advanced chassis design and twin hydrostatic transmission. They also feature a state-of-the-art Schabmuller motor and Zapi controller, offering unrivalled performance. With a well-earned reputation for long-term dependability and low maintenance costs, Sidetracker delivers solutions that last a lifetime.
Benefits of a Forklift That Moves Sideways
Our forklift truck sideloader range offers numerous benefits across various industries and applications – maximising operational efficiency for even the most demanding environments.
Greater
Manoeuvrability
Unlike conventional forklifts, which are limited to forward and reverse movement, a forklift side loader offers unparalleled manoeuvrability. With the ability to move sideways and diagonally, our side loader lift trucks excel in tight spaces, narrow aisles, and confined warehouses.
Enhanced
Efficiency
A forklift that moves sideways and diagonally effortlessly navigates narrow aisles and tight corners, optimising how space is used in warehouses and storage facilities. This allows organisations to improve productivity and store more inventory, saving crucial time and costs.
Improved
Safety
All Sidetracker side loaders are designed with safety in mind – with advanced traction, steering, and braking systems to ensure consistently stable operation. Their low deck heights and compact dimensions also offer enhanced visibility, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Flexible
Handling
A side loader fork truck can handle a range of loads with the highest precision, eliminating the risk of damage and boosting productivity. Their unique design means they are especially useful for long and awkward objects, such as timber, metal stock, extrusions, and rolls or reels.
Bespoke
Customisation
Sidetracker offers tailored solutions that meet the specific requirements of each customer to maximise efficiency and productivity. From deck and fork length to cab layouts and wheel configurations – every detail of the forklift side loader can be customised to your unique facility.
Long-Term
Dependability
Crafted with premium materials and components, our forklift truck sideloaders are engineered for long-term reliability. Their sturdy construction and minimal maintenance needs reduce downtime and ensure uninterrupted operations, even in demanding industrial environments.
Our Side Loading Forklift Range
SuperTracker
Features
- 3-wheel ultra compact side loader
- Up to 4000kg capacity
- Up to 9m lift height
- Custom fork spread
- Seated or stand-on
Wide Fork
Carriage
1.2m up to 12m
MegaTracker
Features
- 4-wheel ultra-manoeuvrable narrow-aisle fork truck
- Articulating chassis and two high torque hydrostatic drives for tough conditions
- Up to 8000kg capacity
- Up to 13m lift height
- Seated or stand-on
Difficult
Surfaces & Slopes
Single Deck Side loader
Features
- Very narrow and compact
- Tighter turning and increased manoeuvrability compared to two deck side loaders
- Ideal replacements for Hunslets where a two-deck machine isn’t ideal
- Up to 4000kg and 8m lift height
Compact
Increased Manoeuvrability
Man-up Order Pickers
Features
- Bespoke design
- Eliminate wasted time bringing the load down to floor level
- Custom options include scales, printers, and banding machines
Bespoke Design
Time Saving
Custom Options
Why Choose Sidetracker Side Loaders?
We know that for many industries, space is a valuable asset. To help you make the most of vertical space, we build compact side loaders with low deck heights. They are also extremely versatile, offering rapid long load and pallet handling in even the smallest of spaces – so you can use every cubic metre available to optimise productivity, efficiency, and most importantly, costs.
One size does not fit all, and standard models don’t always fit the bill. That’s why we design and manufacture every side loader lift truck to meet your exact requirements, with options for fork lengths, cab layouts, tyre types, and more. Through all this – we use common parts to ensure a plentiful supply of spares in the event of a failure.
In addition to our first-class equipment, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional post-sale support to our customers. With decades of experience, our professional team of engineers can provide a rapid repair service to keep downtime at a minimum. We also offer scheduled and preventative maintenance packages, a technical hotline, and practical advice to help you tackle any challenge.
TESTIMONIALS
Don’t just take our word for it
Side Loader FAQs
A side loader is a specialised forklift designed to handle long and bulky loads (e.g., lumber, pipes, and steel bars) by allowing movement in multiple directions – including sideways.
Unlike traditional forklifts that raise loads from the front, side loading forklifts have their forks mounted on the side of the vehicle, allowing greater manoeuvrability in narrow spaces.
Sidetracker’s side loader fork truck range uses hydraulic systems to raise and move loads. They also feature wheels that can rotate 360°, enabling them to move forward, backwards, and sideways. The forks can also be extended or retracted to accommodate different load lengths.
When in use, the operator will position the fork alongside the load, and then the hydraulic system will lift and transport the load to the desired location.
A forklift side loader is a forklift that moves sideways and is often used in lumber yards, pipe and steel manufacturing, construction, warehouses, and storage facilities. They are particularly useful in environments where long loads need to be manoeuvred in tight spaces.
Yes! Our side loader forklifts are battery-powered and thus suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They can also handle a range of terrains, including smooth warehouse floors, rough construction sites, and uneven outdoor surfaces.
The weight and load capacity limits for side loader forklifts vary depending on the specific make and model. Our SuperTracker 320C has a maximum capacity of 4 tonnes, while our MegaTracker 425C has a maximum capacity of 8 tonnes.
Regular maintenance is vital to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of any forklift side loader. Maintenance tasks include checking fluid levels, inspecting tyres and forks for damage, lubricating moving parts, and following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. It’s also crucial to train operators on proper handling and care.
For more information, please see our Support Services page.
Yes, all side loader lift truck operators should receive full training due to the vehicle’s unique manoeuvring capabilities and potential hazards. Training should cover safety procedures, load stability, and general forklift operation guidelines.