Taking control of long loads and boosting efficiency

SHEFFIELD IS the UK’s traditional steel heartland, where handling long and heavy materials is part of everyday operations.

For Special Quality Alloys, suppliers of high-quality forgings to the oil, gas and aerospace industries, this means moving high-value metal products safely, efficiently, and within the constraints of a modern, busy site.

Operating in an environment shaped by decades of industrial heritage, the challenge is not just moving material, it is doing so with precision, control, and absolute reliability.

Metals handling presents a unique set of operational risks. Loads can reach ten metres in length or more, requiring careful control at all times.

Despite being unsuited to the task, counterbalance forklifts are still used for long loads, a compromise that introduces instability, reduced visibility, and increased safety risk. “We do still see people using forklifts for handling loads up to around ten metres,” says Baumann UK’s Mark Bann. “Not only unwise and unsafe. It’s also not great for the operation.”

Unlike conventional forklifts, the sideloader carries the load along the length of the truck, keeping it stable, secure, and fully within the truck’s footprint. This allows operators to move long materials through narrow aisles and doorways with confidence, while maintaining full control even in restricted areas.

On a compact site such as this, the ability to manoeuvre efficiently without compromising safety is critical. “With the load on the deck of the truck we can negotiate those issues without any problems,” add Mark. SQA needed a safe, more controlled solution than a regular forklift, as well as a transition away from ageing diesel equipment that could no longer meet operational or environmental expectations.

Baumann not only supplied a fully electric ELX sideloader, engineered specifically for long-load handling in confined environments, but the first lithium powered version ever seen in the UK. A lithium-ion battery system adds the ability to opportunity charge during breaks, providing additional flexibility, while integration with on-site solar generation allows the business to make use of available renewable energy. Together, these factors contribute to reduced emissions and lower overall operating costs.

Says Mark: “It’s a solution that offers reliability, efficiency and capability of supporting a full shift on a single charge.”

Shifting expectations

This transition reflects a wider shift within the industry, where electric sideloaders are increasingly becoming the standard in the three to eight tonne capacity range. Even so, SQA have incorporated a range of integrated safety systems designed to protect both operator and pedestrians.

Load retaining pins ensure that materials remain securely positioned on the deck during transport, while the unique barbed fork design helps prevent accidental displacement. Red zone warning lights provide a clear visual indication of the truck’s operating area, reducing the risk to nearby personnel.