A sidelifter is a specialised truck or semi-trailer used to hoist and transport ISO standard intermodal containers over longer distances.
The sidelifter loads and unloads containers via a pair of hydraulic powered cranes mounted at each end of the vehicle chassis. the cranes are designed to lift containers from the ground, from other vehicles including rolling stock, from railway wagons and directly from stacks on docks or aboard container ships. A standard sidelifter is also able to stack a container at a two containers´ height on the ground. If the sidelifter chassis is of 40´ length or more, the cranes of the sidelifter can be shifted hydraulically along the sidelifter chassis to be able to pick up either one 20´or one 40´ or two 20´ ISO containers at a time.
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The sidelifter was invented during the 1960s by Klaus Transport-systeme GmbH of Germany, with a focus on the military operations. The Klaus Sidelifters were heavy and not cost effective in the commercial area. Klaus was bought by Steelbro in New Zealand, that has developed the Sidelifter lighter and commercially acceptable. It was also further developed by Hammar Maskin AB in Sweden. It has since become a commonly used vehicle in intermodal facilities worldwide. The principal alternative to the costly machinery of the sidelifter is the use of swap body containers, which are too light to be stacked but can be unloaded from a truck by means of foldable legs. Today the biggest manufacturers are Valart, Boxloader, Hammar and Steelbro, followed by others minor regional manufacturers.
Sidelifters generally have the following attributes:
Sidelifter machines are designed to lift up to a maximum of 44 tonnes (49 short tons; 43 long tons) though smaller machines exist.
In addition to controlling the raising and lowering of the cranes, the operator can sometimes tilt the chassis using the stabilising legs which provides a limited ability to operate on non-level ground.
Some sidelifters have a telescopic chassis, sometimes called trombone chassis, allowing the unit to expand and contract in order to accommodate 20 ft, 40 ft or even 45 ft containers. These Trombone units are specially suited for small secondary roads where cornering is quite difficult with 40 ft trailers.
A sidelifter is rated for ISO containers with a specified maximum total weight and to a maximum distance from the sidelifter chassis (also called maximum reach or maximum radius). This information is located on a nameplate provided by the manufacturer, and loads must not exceed these specifications. Sidelifter units have been known to overturn like any other crane, especially when lifting weights that are heavier than the maximum allowed weight or when operating at a radius that is bigger than the maximum allowed radius. Sidelifter units must always be operated only by trained personnel. Safety devices such as Electronic Stability System that prevent the sidelifter from rolling over may be sometimes required by local legislations
A Rubber tyred gantry crane is another device for loading containers on to trucks (as well as around the port).
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