The side forklift truck is a specialized material handling solution designed for efficiency. Unlike traditional counterbalanced forklifts, the forks are mounted on the side of the body. In addition to lifting and tilting, the forks can traverse to the right side of the truck frame and retract back into the middle section. This unique design allows long cargoes to be loaded directly onto the truck deck and transported safely in limited spaces.

By piling long cargoes lengthwise along the platform, the required passageway width is remarkably reduced. This makes the side forklift particularly suitable for handling timber, section steels, line poles, cement tubes, plastic pipes, and other bulky or over-length cargoes. It is widely applied in railway stations, oilfields, harbors, warehouses, and construction sites.