Acenta is the UK`s leading engineering
steel stockholder with over 5000 products in stock across 50 specifications in
round, square, flat, angle and hexagonal sections. Following consolidation of the storage
systems at Rugby, all material is now stored on cantilever racking, either in
the warehouse or outside.

The heaviest bar stock, up to 480mm
diameter x six metres long and weighing over five tonnes each, is stored on the
external racking. The company needed a
multi-directional sideloader capable of handling the heaviest items while still
being able to work in the 2.2-metre warehouse aisles and reach the top of the 8.6-metre
racking.

The new Sidetracker was also needed to
unload deliveries without using an overhead crane, which has been achieved by
fitting a pair of longer forks that can be rotated out of use when the truck is
in the warehouse. For warehouse work
650mm-long forks are used, while the second pair of 1500mm-long forks allows
the driver to reach the middle of delivery trucks, which would otherwise be out
of reach. Fork width can be adjusted
hydraulically from the cab.

The load capacity of the new truck is
5.5 tonnes, and it has a maximum lift height of 8.8 metres. A 360º turning capability provides excellent
manoeuvrability within the warehouse and minimises turning areas. A camera on the fork carriage helps drivers
to handle loads safely at high levels, and roller guidance allows the truck to
operate safely and efficiently in the racking aisles.

Heavy-duty construction and
electro-hydraulic drive systems without electronics on the Sidetracker provide long-term
reliability and easy maintenance.