National Portable Storage Association

Delivery equipment

side loader

A side loader is a trailer with two lifting arms that picks up a container, carries it and sets it on the ground or on another trailer. It can lift from the side, so it needs less room at the front or back.

Why it matters

A side loader can lift a container straight to the ground without another machine on site. That helps when space is tight at the front or rear of the drop spot. Operators use it to move containers between trailers, rail cars and yards, and to stack them. It costs more than a tilt-bed and needs trained operators. A common mistake is to assume it fits any site. It still needs a firm, level surface and room beside the box for the trailer. Customers should confirm width of the access path and ground strength. Ask your provider which method they plan to use.

Read: Container delivery equipment: Tilt-bed, roll-off, side-loader, and crane trucks

Definition source: hammarlift.com

Related terms

tilt-bed truck

A tilt-bed truck has a bed that tilts down toward the ground. A winch pulls a container onto or off the bed. It places a 20 ft or 40 ft container on the ground without a crane or forklift. It is the most common delivery truck in portable storage.

reach stacker

A reach stacker is a vehicle that handles intermodal cargo containers in terminals and ports. It has a telescopic boom that lifts, carries and stacks loaded containers several high. It grips them by the corner castings. It is built for heavy, high-volume yards.

crane truck

A crane truck is a truck with a crane mounted on the bed or chassis. It lifts a container off a trailer, over fences or onto a tight spot. It is also called a boom truck or loader crane truck.

chassis

A chassis is a skeletal semi-trailer built to carry a container. It has twistlocks at the corners that lock into the container's corner castings. Chassis are used with tractors to move containers on roads between ports, rail yards and depots.

container yard

A container yard is an area where shipping containers are stored, staged and moved between trucks, rail and ships. In shipping, a container yard sits at or near a port, rail terminal or inland depot and holds both loaded and empty containers.

delivery access

Delivery access is the space and route a truck needs to reach the drop spot. It includes the road, driveway, gates, turning room and overhead clearance. XCaliber Container gives a guide of about 10 feet of width on each side of the container and 13 feet of overhead clearance.

All 220 terms

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