Our single deck side loading forklift is the ideal replacement for the Hunslet Lizard – offering exceptional manoeuvrability in confined spaces, backed by our robust supply of spare parts and rapid repair service.
Replacing the Hunslet Lizard: Our Single Deck Side Loaders
The Hunslet Lizard, now discontinued, was renowned for its unrivalled manoeuvrability in tight warehouse operations. Although existing trucks remain in use today, the scarcity of spare parts makes routine maintenance and repairs incredibly difficult. Additionally, the design of the Hunslet forklift falls short of modern safety standards, lacking sufficient back protection unless retrofitted.
Current Hunslet owners now face the risk of excessive downtime due to relying on old, unreliable equipment with almost no chance of repair. The alternative is relocating racking to widen aisles for the use of bulkier forklifts, which would result in a loss of revenue from storing fewer goods and materials.
To address this challenge, Sidetracker has designed, built, and field-tested a new Hunslet forklift – the Sidetracker single deck side loading forklift. With a tight turning circle, options for 2 or 4 way travel, and limitless customisation, the narrow aisle widths that only a Hunslet could conquer can now be handled seamlessly with the Sidetracker solution.
The Hunslet Lizard vs The Sidetracker Solution
Hunslet Lizard
Features
- 3-wheels (2 drive, 1 load)
- 1 deck
- 2-way travel
- Up to 2050kg lifting capacity
- Up to 5m lifting height
- Tight turning circle
- Indoor use
Sidetracker Sideloader
Features
- 3-wheels (2 drive, 1 load)
- 1 deck
- 2 or 4-way travel
- Up to 4000kg lifting capacity
- Up to 10m lifting height
- Tight turning circle
- Indoor & outdoor use
- Seated or stand-on
- Safe to modern standards
- Customisation options
- Robust spare parts backup
Benefits of Compact 2 & 4 Way Forklift Trucks
The Sidetracker single deck multidirectional sideloader offers all the benefits of the Hunslet Lizard and more.
Enhanced Safety
Engineered with safety in mind, our side loading forklifts offer advanced traction, visibility, steering, and braking. Unlike the Hunslet forklift, they feature a rear cab guard that fully encloses the operator to protect them from hitting the racking or loads.
Increased Productivity
Sidetracker’s side loading forklifts are built with high-quality, modern components designed for long-term reliability and minimal downtime. Featuring smoother and more efficient hydraulics than the Hunslet, they can significantly boost productivity.
Versatile Handling
Our multidirectional side loading forklift trucks are extremely versatile, offering rapid long load handling in even the tightest of spaces. This allows you to use every cubic metre available to optimise productivity, efficiency, and most importantly, costs.
Limitless Customisation
With Sidetracker, you can customise your truck’s lifting capacity and height, travel direction, fork / deck length, light and camera placement, and more. We offer a free site survey to help you specify the perfect 2 or 4 way forklift truck for your needs.
Film Manufacturer Halves Fleet by Replacing Hunslets with Sidetrackers
When a leading film manufacturer needed to replace their fleet of Hunslet forklifts, they faced a significant challenge. No available trucks on the market could match the narrow aisle widths of their facility, and due to operational and building constraints, relocating racking was just not an option.
This led them to Sidetracker Engineering, who quickly realised that a twin deck sideloader couldn’t offer the functionality that the film manufacturer was desperately seeking. Our team got to work, designing and manufacturing a single deck multidirectional sideloader that would reach the film manufacturer’s 5.6m top racking yet still fit under their 2.6m doorways.
The final solution boasted the manoeuvrability and compactness of the Hunslet Lizard, while offering complete customisation to meet the film manufacturer’s unique operational demands. Nearly 10 years of 24/7 operation later, Sidetracker’s 2 and 4 way forklift trucks have proven to be more reliable, robust, and overall, a huge success.
Why Choose Sidetracker for Your Side Loading Forklift?
If you’re still relying on a Hunslet, you no longer have to worry about downsizing your operations to accommodate a less compact forklift. At Sidetracker, we understand that space is one of your most valuable assets and can work with you to develop a bespoke solution that offers you all the benefits of the Hunslet while solving the unique modern challenges of your facility.
We know that when your machine is down, it’s costing you money. Unlike the Hunslet forklift truck, a Sidetracker single deck side loading forklift gives you access to a comprehensive stock of spare parts, post-sales support, and a nationwide breakdown and maintenance to ensure maximum uptime for your equipment wherever you’re based.
TESTIMONIALS
Don’t just take our word for it
Multidirectional Sideloader FAQs
The Hunslet Engine Company, founded in 1864, specialises in the manufacture of locomotives. Throughout its history, the company also produced a number of non-railway products, including printing presses, medical machinery, and the Hunslet Lizard side loading forklift truck.
The Hunslet forklift truck, now discontinued, was renowned for its manoeuvrability and speed compared to traditional 2-deck forklifts of the time. Although some models are still in use today, the scarcity of spare parts makes safe, routine maintenance increasingly difficult.
Sidetracker’s 2 and 4-way side loading forklift trucks are the ideal replacement for the Hunslet Lizard, which has been discontinued since the late 20th century.
Featuring a tight turning circle for 2 or 4-way travel (forwards, backwards, and side-to-side), robust safety features, reliable spare parts backup, and comprehensive service and maintenance, our multidirectional sideloader trucks offer all the benefits of an original Hunslet Lizard and more.
Industries that require the storage and transportation of long loads, such as plastic reels, aluminium, steel, and timber, will benefit greatly from a Sidetracker forklift. Warehousing, logistics, construction, and manufacturing sectors often use these vehicles to boost efficiency and optimise space utilisation.
Yes, all operators of our multidirectional sideloader trucks must be fully trained to use them. At Sidetracker, we offer standard handover training for all our products. However, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure appropriate training is sought and implemented for the equipment used in their facility.
All our 2 and 4 way forklift trucks are custom-built for each customer, with a typical turnaround time of 12-16 weeks.
Yes, but this service is currently available for long-term contracts only due to our products being custom-made for each order. All single deck machines are currently still in use at their original sites so we do not have any available for short term hire.
Contact Sidetracker Engineering for expert advice and recommendations on the best 2 or 4 way forklift for your business and budget. With over 60 years of engineering expertise, we have developed high-quality, high-performance multi directional forklifts for sale and servicing across the whole of the UK.