Side loader
Sideloaders (also called container sidelifters) are specially equipped semi-trailers or trucks, usually for the transport and handling of ISO containers .
Load bearing
The means for lifting the load are locked with so-called container hooks or spreader gripping tools in the four container twist locks to prevent unintentional loosening. Side loaders are available up to a lifting force of 40 tons and can not only lift and transport normal containers, but also so-called bulk, flat and tank containers.
- Side loader types: 20 ft, 20–40 ft, 20–45 ft
- Container sizes: 3–13 meters / 10–45 ft
- Container height: up to 2.90 meters
Handling process
Two hydraulic arms, which can be attached to the articulated vehicle, a truck trailer, a two-three-axle standard truck or a railroad car, and which ensure a front-end load pick-up, enable loading and unloading of standardized ISO containers with a maximum weight of up to 32 tons. The handling process is carried out by the truck driver using a radio remote control. In this context it must be taken into account that the sideloader is not able to stack containers. Unloading from the rear is not possible due to the construction of the hydraulic arms.
Technical possibilities
A side loader is based on the construction principle of a crane, during the lifting process of which considerable load moments occur. The side loader type BOXmover is not a crane, because when it is used there are no load moments, but the technology is completely different - based on a force triangle that prevents the creation of bending moments. The two hydraulic telescopic cylinders articulated as legs of a triangle are able to lift or lower the loads of a fully loaded loading unit ( swap body with 16 tons and ISO container with 32 tons total weight) or laterally by means of chains or with a spreader - To move the gripping tool in the twistlock . The two telescopic cylinders, which each form a closed force triangle, prevent the occurrence of bending moments , and only compressive forces arise during a reversal process . This enables simple horizontal handling and thus the parking of the loading units at any point and at any height between the ground and the truck.
Areas of application
The areas of application of the handling device are characterized by a wide range of uses: In factory traffic , for example, the technology is used by manufacturing companies. In the field of transporting bulk goods , containers are often used as a means of transport. The combined freight traffic , which is characterized by frequent occurrence of interfaces between rail and road, is to complete transport chains instructed to benefit significantly from its advantages. Containers are also used for waste disposal, for example in urban areas, as well as in seaport hinterland transport for container terminals .
These transport processes are characterized by the road / rail interface and can only be carried out smoothly if long standing and waiting times as well as lengthy loading and unloading can be avoided.
Side loaders are also used for other purposes, for example in precast concrete construction. The shown side loader with vacuum lifter was one of the first custom-made products from the Klaus company in Memmingen and was used by the Dobler company in Iraq from 1975 to 1978.
Side loader with vacuum lifter
The concrete part sticks and is lifted off
The concrete wall is placed on the low loader
