What is the difference between a sideloader and a sideshifter?

A Sideloader is a own forklift design , where the forks mounted on the side The device takes the load across the direction of travel on – ideal for long goods such as wood, pipes or metal profiles . You drive past the stored goods and pick them up directly – without much space for maneuvering. A Sideshift however, a Attachment for normal forklifts . This allows you to use the forks move left or right without moving the forklift itself. This is helpful when precise placement of pallets , e.g. in narrow shelves or when loading and unloading trucks. In short: Sideloader = special device for long goods. Side shifter = additional function for more flexibility in pallet handling.

What is a sideshift on a forklift?

A Sideshift is a hydraulic attachment on the forklift truck, with which the fork carriages can be moved sideways to the left and right – without moving the forklift. This is how you can Position pallets precisely , even if you are not standing exactly in the middle of the load. Advantages: Faster work, less shunting, lower risk of transport damage. Particularly useful for narrow shelf aisles or when loading and unloading trucks.

Can you add a sideshift to a forklift?

Yes, a Sideshift can be retrofitted to many forklifts – provided the forklift has a additional hydraulic control circuit . If the hydraulic connection is available, the attachment can usually be installed without any problems. If not, the hydraulics can often be technically upgraded. Important: The The remaining load capacity of the forklift truck changes due to the additional weight – therefore the combination of forklift and sideshifter must be technically coordinated.

What is the difference between a sideshifter and a fork positioner?

A Sideshift postpones the entire fork carriage sideways , i.e. both forks simultaneously to the left or right. This helps with precise positioning of pallets without having to realign the forklift. A Fork positioner on the other hand, it allows to adjust the forks laterally independently of each other. This allows you to adjust the distance between the forks to different pallet widths or loads – ideal for companies with changing loading units. In short: The Sideshift provides fine correction in the lateral direction the Fork positioner for flexibility in fork spacing.

Sideshift on the forklift – All information

Zusammenfassung

ASideshiftallows you to use the forksto move sideways without realigning the forklift– ideal forconfined space, truck loading and unloading or block storageYou save time, reduce maneuvering effort, and protect goods and vehicles.

The prerequisite is ahydraulic connectionon the forklift – this is already included in many BIBERGER rental units.Conclusion:If youwant to work more precisely, faster and more safely, a side shift is not an extra, but a real efficiency factor.

Do you want to save time, work more precisely, and move your pallets without having to move the entire forklift? Then a sideshifter is exactly what you need.

What sounds like an accessory is actually a crucial efficiency factor – especially in narrow shelf aisles or when loading with limited space.

In this article, you will learn what a sideshifter on a forklift actually does, what advantages it offers, and when its use really makes sense.

What does a sideshifter do on a forklift?

A sideshifter is a hydraulic attachment that allows you to move the forks sideways – without moving the forklift.

Sounds simple, but in practice, it saves a tremendous amount of time. Instead of having to maneuver, you can slide the fork to the left or right – usually by plus or minus 100 to 150 mm per side .

This means you can position a pallet precisely, even if the forklift isn't positioned exactly in front of it. This makes loading and unloading processes significantly faster and more flexible – especially with trucks or in block storage.

When do you need a side shifter?

Whenever things get tight or things need to happen "quickly".

The use of a side shift is particularly useful in the following cases:

Loading and unloading of trucks
Warehouse work in narrow aisles
Placing pallets in tight spaces
Block storage with dense stacking
Load pickup if you cannot drive 100% centrally

Even with uneven floors, crooked pallets or asymmetrical load distribution, the side shifter helps you to compensate for the position – without having to stop or start again.

What specific advantages does a side shifter bring you?

The biggest advantage is clear: time savings.

You no longer have to align the forklift precisely – a small slider handle and the fork is where it needs to be.

Second, less maneuvering means less damage. Especially when loading and unloading trucks or containers, a sideshifter reduces the risk of damaging pallets, goods, or vehicle walls.

Third, you work more efficiently and ergonomically. The driver stays in the seat, the process runs more smoothly—and this impacts the entire material flow.

And last but not least: more flexibility. Even if pallets aren't exactly positioned or a shelf has shifted slightly, you can still work precisely.

Are there any disadvantages?

Not many – but there are a few points you should know:

A sideshift increases the overall height and weight of the attachment. This slightly reduces the residual load capacity of the forklift – depending on the model and attachment type.

In addition, the sideshifter requires a hydraulic connection on the forklift – if this is not available, it must be retrofitted.

Conclusion: If you often work in tight spaces or regularly load and unload trucks, the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

Sideshift = standard equipment?

Not always – but very often. Many rental forklifts and industrial trucks from BIBERGER are often equipped with sideshifters because they are almost always needed in practice.

The sideshift has long been standard equipment, especially in warehouse logistics, industry or construction site deliveries.