Builders merchant chooses Baumann sideloaders

Ridgeons continually invests to keep at the forefront of the industry. Handling timber effectively across fast-moving sites helps drive efficiencies and produces a higher quality service, says Forest Products operations manager, Eddie Hart: “With a dedicated Forest Products team, working in partnership with selected suppliers, we are able to maintain a very high standard of quality and consistency.”

It was that commitment to quality that attracted independent builders merchants, Huws Gray, to acquire Ridgeons in 2018. The acquisition significantly increases Huws Gray’s store base and broadens its national presence, making the company, it says, the UK’s largest independent builders merchants.

“There’s no time to rest on our laurels,” says Eddie. “Stockholding and in-house timber processing takes place here at the purpose-built 12 acre site at Herringswell. We rely on our equipment to keep us fully operational, and that’s why we look for good support and the right kit for the job.”

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That kit now includes two new Baumann GX50 sideloaders, complete with the award winning Archimedes outreach system, ensuring fine control for the operator. Hydraulic cylinders traditionally drive a sideloader outreach system (the method by which the forks reach out to the load and return it to the load bed) by applying pressure to opposing rollers that slide along their respective channels, in a pantograph-style mechanical linkage.

The new Baumann GX Series utilises the direct drive Archimedes screw and sliding blocks, to extend the fork carriage, while preventing horizontal movements and eliminating unnecessary stresses. The system is low in maintenance and simple in design, with a high level of engineering and durability to ensure greater safety, smoother control and perfectly synchronised outreach for highly accurate and efficient load control.

The whole outreach system works in unison, which means ideal results each time, and maximum working speeds. Baumann UK general manager, Mark Bann says the GX is a good fit for the site.

“The operation here is great, with very well set out cantilever racking and a big site with long runs, which the GX50 is superb at. The new outreach system is revolutionary, it ensures a lot smoother and fine control for the operator. They work very long hours, between 40 and 60 a week, so they need the control, power and the accuracy of the outreach system.”

Despite having only been on site for a relatively short time, the upgrade to Baumann has already been noticed, comments Mark: 

“Feedback from the operators is very good, they also see the build quality and benefit of the self-levelling deck, where loads are secure on slopes and inclines. We are supporting Eastern, one of the big dealers in the UK for Baumann products. They have worked with Ridgeons for many years and they know the team here well. There’s also our latest electric ELX model at the Galaxy distribution centre near Lakenheath. The ELX is a high performing, high specification machine that has the added benefit of being able to work indoors and out, with no emissions.”

Eastern’s managing director, Paul Brierley, said: “We are very proud of our work with Ridgeons and of our partnerships with Baumann. The GX trucks are excellent and not many would have thought a 5 tonnes capacity electric sideloader would work a 10 hour shift. It shows what a brilliant truck the new ELX is. Only the longest dock applications need to be diesel now.”

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