The world’s largest sideloader, a 50 tonnes capacity GXS500, has left the Baumann factory for delivery to fruit concentrates company, Austria Juice.

It was developed for the company through their partners Kalmar Austria GmbH, when traditional container handling methods proved unsuccessful. Designed to carry 40ft containers using inverted forks and a specially modified spreader beam, the sideloader also features a raised cabin to see over the top of containers, which tilts and angles forward to sit in front of the main deck.

The technique was first used in Baumann’s GXS200 range and has proved extremely useful for providing clear views with and without loads. With space restricted and load capacities increasing, the company has discussed the sideloader option for a number of years, before the final specification was agreed in 2018.

“This is the biggest sideloader that’s ever been made,” says Baumann technical director, Riccardo Bove, “and any machine this size comes with its own unique challenges. The total weight of the machine is in excess of 72 tonnes, the mast alone is 18 tonnes. That said, the basic design and specification of the truck is something that we are very familiar with and follows the same design principles of our existing ranges.”