Self-Loading Sidelifter Container Handling Trailers

Side Loader Trailer with Integrated Loading Cranes for 20ft and 40ft ISO Containers

STU Sidelifter Container Trailers are produced for container transport operations that need loading and unloading independence. With twin hydraulic cranes for lifting from the side, hydraulic stabiliser legs and ISO container interface, the trailer can pick up, transfer and place 20ft and 40ft containers without relying on a terminal crane, reach stacker or forklift at every delivery point. Fixed and extendable chassis configurations can be selected according to container length, route and operating market.

High-Capacity Hydraulic Cranes for Autonomous Container Transfer

Two synchronised hydraulic cranes work as one and lift ISO containers of up to 36 tonnes from the ground, from another trailer or from a container chassis, and set them down again. The deck takes one 40ft, one 20ft or two 20ft containers on eight container locks. ISO 668 twistlocks engage the container corners. One operator runs the full cycle from the cab or with a remote handset, so no terminal crane, reach stacker or forklift is needed at the delivery point.

Stabiliser Legs & Heavy Duty Subframe Architecture

Hydraulic stabiliser legs extend from the frame before each lift and widen the support footprint; ground conditions and leg position are checked before every lift. The ST52/S355J2+N chassis is reinforced at the crane mounting points and the stabiliser attachment zones. Fixed and extendable chassis are available, with axles, brakes and lighting matched to the market: chassis steel explained.

Highlights

Container Handling with Integrated Cranes

Load and unload ISO containers directly from the ground, another trailer or a container chassis without external crane infrastructure.

20ft and 40ft ISO Container Flexibility

Designed for container logistics operators handling 20ft and 40ft containers across ports, depots, industrial zones and remote delivery points, with fixed or extendable chassis options by specification.

Twin Hydraulic Cranes for Side Lifting

Two hydraulic cranes work together to lift, transfer and position containers with controlled movement for loading from the side.

Independent Container Delivery

Reduce waiting time and dependency on terminal equipment by taking container handling capability directly to the job site.

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Key Features

Independent Loading

self loading20ft / 40ftGround placementContainer transfer

Move Containers Without External Crane Dependency

A sidelifter container trailer gives the operator the ability to load, unload and transfer containers without relying on a fixed crane, reach stacker or forklift at every location. This makes the trailer useful for ports, container depots, industrial sites, construction projects, agriculture, remote storage yards and customer deliveries where container handling equipment is not always available.

Up to 36 t

High Lifting Capacity

The two cranes work as one team and lift containers of up to 36 tonnes.

Containers

20ft / 40ft ISO

Handles both TEU and FEU standard containers with ISO 668 twistlock engagement.

Independence

No External Equipment

Design for one operator removes the need for port or terminal crane infrastructure.

Stability and Safety During Lifting

Stabiliser legsOutriggersSafe liftingGround pressure

Stable Lifting Footprint for Side Loader Operations

Hydraulic stabiliser legs are deployed before lifting to create a wider support footprint. This helps support safe container handling during ground placement, trailer transfer and loading cycles. Ground condition, outrigger pads, container weight and operating angle must always be considered before lifting.

Outriggers

Hydraulic Stabilisation

Wide footprint prevents tipping during container lifting and lowering operations.

Chassis

ST52 Reinforced Frame

Specially reinforced crane mounting points and outrigger attachment zones.

Control

Designed for One Operator

Full cycle control from cab or remote handset, no ground crew required.

TWIN HYDRAULIC CRANE SYSTEM

Hydraulic cranesControlled liftingContainer side loader

Twin Hydraulic Crane System

The side loader system uses twin hydraulic cranes mounted on the trailer structure to lift and position ISO containers from the side. Crane capacity, control system and hydraulic layout should be selected according to the target container weight, operating market, duty cycle and customer loading routine.

Cranes

Twin Crane Layout

Front and rear lifting units work together for balanced movement for loading from the side.

Control

Controlled Container Positioning

Hydraulic movement helps the operator place containers accurately in restricted areas.

Operation

Designed Around the Duty Cycle

Hydraulic and structural configuration can be matched to frequent container handling operations.

20FT AND 40FT ISO CONTAINER FLEXIBILITY

20ft40ftExtendable chassisTwistlocksISO containers

Built Around Standard and Project Container Logistics

The trailer is positioned for ISO container transport and handling, including 20ft and 40ft containers. Fixed chassis layouts can be selected for regular container work, while extendable sidelifter chassis options support operations that handle different container lengths on the same trailer. Configuration details such as chassis length, twistlock layout, lifting equipment and axle specification should be confirmed according to container size, weight, local regulations and transport routes.

Configuration by the Manufacturer

ProducerTürkiyeExportConfigurable

Configured by a Semi Trailer Producer from Türkiye

STU produces trailer solutions from Türkiye and can configure the sidelifter trailer around the target market, container size, axle and suspension preference, hydraulic system, chassis structure, safety equipment, finish and customer branding. The correct configuration starts with container weight, route, loading frequency and local road rules.

Market

Build Adapted to Your Market

Axles, brakes, suspension and lighting can be aligned with regional requirements.

Components

Component Selection

Hydraulic, axle and safety components can be selected according to service network needs.

Finish

Finish Prepared for Export

RAL colour, warning markings and branding can be prepared for customer fleets.

Take a closer look.

Twin hydraulic crane system for container side lifting

Hydraulic stabiliser legs for safe lifting footprint

ISO twistlock interface for 20ft and 40ft containers

Remote and operator control options for loading cycles

Fixed or extendable chassis with reinforced crane mounting zones

In the Field

Gallery

Global Reach

Trusted by operators all over Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sidelifter trailer?

A sidelifter is a semi trailer with integrated loading equipment equipped with twin hydraulic cranes mounted along its sides. It can independently pick up and set down ISO shipping containers: both 20ft and 40ft: without requiring any external crane, reach stacker, or terminal infrastructure.

What container sizes does the STU sidelifter handle?

The STU sidelifter is engineered to handle both 20ft (TEU) and 40ft (FEU) ISO standard containers.

What is the lifting capacity of the cranes?

The two hydraulic cranes of the STU sidelifter work together and lift up to 36 tonnes.

Do I need external equipment to load or unload containers?

No. The sidelifter is fully independent. The twin hydraulic cranes handle the entire cycle of lifting and positioning independently.

How many operators are needed to handle a container?

The sidelifter is designed for use by one operator. The driver controls the full container handling cycle from the cab or via a remote handset.

How does the trailer stabilise during crane operation?

Hydraulic outriggers extend from the trailer frame before crane operation begins. These create a wide, stable footprint that prevents tipping.

Can the sidelifter operate on unprepared ground?

Yes: with appropriate outrigger pads or bearing plates, the sidelifter can operate on compacted gravel, earth, or other unprepared surfaces.

What markets and applications is the sidelifter suited for?

Intermodal logistics operators, container depot management, remote site construction delivery, agricultural storage container placement, industrial equipment containerisation, and any location without crane infrastructure.

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Tech Specs

Type

Container Trailer with Integrated Loading Cranes

Container Sizes

20ft (TEU) and 40ft (FEU) ISO

Lifting Capacity

Up to 36 tonnes (both cranes together)

Crane Type

Twin hydraulic, synchronised

Chassis Steel

ST52 / S355J2+N reinforced

Stabilisation

Hydraulic outriggers

Operation

One operator (cab or remote)

Container Interface

ISO 668 twistlock engagement