58 | Sector Focus: Handling & Storage
Above left: A Baumann ELX at Merronbrook Timber Above right: An ELX50 at work at Huevelman, in Holland
Baumann has made sideloaders for 52 years, and electric versions since the early 1990s.
The machine was born out of the needs of the timber trade. Their unique ability to carry long loads securely on their bed made them ideal for the job and have since proved vital for business. Many of the UK’s biggest sideloader users are in the timber sector, including Metsä Wood, BSW Timber and Ridgeons Timber. “To run a Baumann ELX would cost around £2 per hour, depending on the kilowatt per hour,” said Mr Bann. “The equivalent five tonnes capacity diesel with today’s engines and technology will be using around four litres an hour, minimum. That equates to up to around £8 per hour run costs. It’s also cheaper to service the truck – the service intervals are a lot less frequent than they are on the diesel truck.”
Above: Close Up Battery Connection
In addition to the long load capabilities, a big advantage over other types of equipment is the raised forward seating position. Getting a clearer view means quicker, safer progress and sitting forwards reduces stress on the operator.
◄ fuels like diesel to improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles and machinery, invest in cleaner alternatives, or just use less fuel.”
It’s one of the many causes of rising costs – from covid to inflation and from supply bottlenecks to Russian aggression – and has accelerated the demand for the electrification of equipment fleets, as the government intended.
“It’s certainly a lot better for the environment,” said Mark Bann of Baumann UK. “It’s also a lot better for the operator to be sitting without the drone of an engine behind them.”
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The ability to tilt the whole of the machine horizontally also improves load picking and security, much like a tilting mast on a forklift truck.
“In the past few years, there has been a surge in demand for electric machines,” said Mr Bann. “Our order intake now is in the 80-85% range, 15% diesel. There are other technologies out there, such as our hydrogen fuel cell machine, but for the next five or 10 years, Baumann believes that electric is the future.”
Merronbrook Ltd agrees. The family-run business proudly boasts 50 years’ experience in the engineered wood products industry. Specialising in complete design, supply and installation of timber frame packages,
supply-only packages of roof trusses and easi-joist open metal web floor systems, it uses sideloaders to store raw materials and feed the factory lines.
Located in the countryside, close to the village of Hartley Wintney in the north- east corner of Hampshire, the five-acre site, split over two levels and nestled amongst trees and heathland is important to their heritage.
The countryside setting brings with it a few restrictions, as Mr Bann explained: “There are a few challenges. They are in the middle of greenbelt land, they are at the limit with land usage, they need to maximise their storage space, which they do with the cantilever racking, and the aisles need to be as small as they can be, hence the use of sideloaders.”
Merronbrook has been carbon neutral since
2021 by using offsetting and has committed to being net zero in its scope one and two outputs by 2030, tackling things like energy consumption and transportation as a first port of call. It has already introduced a system for staff to lease electric vehicles, making it more affordable, and is now working on the electrification of its fleet.
“Merronbrook ran diesel trucks until about 18 months ago,” said Mr Bann. “With the cost of white diesel now so high, the cost of running the electric truck is significantly lower.”
On this latest ELX, Baumann has introduced an XL cabin option for greater operator comfort and the X-Plus Series – additional reach without changes to the chassis size.
That helps when loading and unloading vehicle beds, particularly 2.4m artic trailers, but it also means when operators are in the aisles, they don’t have to get quite as close to the cantilever racking arms to reach out and take the timber packs off.
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