HUBTEX starts a new chapter for timber logistics with two electric side loaders

 Tuesday, December 2, 2025

The material handling landscape for the timber and wood-processing industry is going through a substantial transformation, driven by demands for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. In response, HUBTEX is expanding its core range of electric multidirectional side loaders with two robust 5-tonne models: the MSL 50 and the MAXX 50.

These new electric-powered additions are specifically engineered to meet the strenuous requirements of timber merchants, sawmills, and prefabricated house builders. They are designed to manage the challenging logistics of transporting long, heavy, and often damp loads while offering a genuine, zero-emission alternative to conventional diesel or gas-powered trucks, ensuring performance is never sacrificed for sustainability.

“The introduction of the MSL 50 and MAXX 50 marks a pivotal step in electrifying heavy-duty material flow for the wood industry,” states Hans-Joachim Finger, General Manager of HUBTEX. “These models combine our decades of expertise in multidirectional technology with the growing need for cleaner, high-capacity equipment, providing customers with an optimal balance of power, precision, and environmental responsibility.”

The MSL 50 joins the HUBTEX product line as a heavy-duty specialist optimised for extensive outdoor operations. With a 5-tonne load capacity, this electric multidirectional side loader is purpose-built for facilities with large, unpaved storage yards—a common characteristic of major timber merchants and sawmills.

Key to the MSL 50’s outdoor optimisation is its specially developed SL cab (side-loader cab). Long distances across extensive outdoor sites can be taxing on operators. The MSL 50 addresses this through an ergonomic seating position aligned in the direction of travel, which significantly reduces driver strain and maximises comfort over prolonged shifts.

Visibility, a critical safety factor, is also paramount:

• A low-set front window ensures the driver has an unrestricted view of the route ahead.
• Generous side glazing provides an optimal, clear view of the long load being transported, crucial for safe maneuvering and storage.

Its robust chassis and high ground clearance are specifically designed for the uneven, sometimes rough terrain found in exterior storage depots, ensuring reliable operation and protecting critical components.

Complementing the outdoor MSL 50 is the powerful MAXX 50, an expansion of the established MAXX series. This 5-tonne model is engineered as an incredibly versatile all-rounder, ideal for demanding combined indoor and outdoor use.

The MAXX 50 excels at transitioning seamlessly between different operational areas:

• Narrow warehouse aisles: Its multidirectional steering allows it to operate efficiently in confined spaces, a necessity for maximising storage density.
• Outdoor yard operations: It retains the power and stability required for loading and unloading heavy transport vehicles in the yard.

The MAXX 50’s structure is specifically tailored for the dense, often heavy nature of timber, especially when dealing with damp or freshly cut wood. It boasts an increased residual load capacity, ensuring maximum safety and operational stability when handling the most demanding loads.

Technical specifications designed for performance include:

• Optimal Ground Clearance and Load Arm Height: With a 190 mm ground clearance and a 535 mm load arm height, the MAXX 50 achieves the perfect balance, allowing high flexibility outdoors while enabling maximum utilisation of vertical storage space indoors.
• Powerful Electric Motors: Driven by powerful 5 kW electric motors, it ensures consistent performance and traction, even when navigating inclines or ramps.
• 360° HX Steering (Optional): This advanced feature provides unparalleled maneuverability, allowing for instant and precise changes in direction, which is essential for working in tight aisles.

The MSL 50 and MAXX 50 integrate seamlessly into HUBTEX’s broader portfolio of specialized material handling equipment for the wood industry, which focuses on making the entire logistics chain more efficient, safer, and increasingly sustainable.

Beyond the new sideloaders, the company offers targeted solutions for warehousing and order picking:

• KP Series (Order Picking): These multidirectional sideloaders can be rapidly converted into order picking vehicles via a detachable platform. This flexibility transforms a transport truck into a picking system in minutes, optimising resource use.
• MK Series (Doors and Frames): Specifically designed for the vertical transport and warehousing of sensitive flat goods like doors, frames, and panels.
• EZK Platform: Features a two-mast or scissor lift for high handling performance and the ability to service racks on both sides of a narrow aisle.

All these handling systems can be equipped with the proprietary VacumaX vacuum suction technology. This innovative system utilises extendible suction pads to safely move panels and other sensitive materials, significantly reducing the risk of damage that can occur with conventional forklift handling.

The transition to electric multidirectional sideloaders directly addresses the timber industry’s drive to reduce its operational carbon footprint. By replacing diesel equipment with zero-emission electric alternatives, companies can significantly improve air quality in their yards and warehouses, contributing to a more sustainable supply chain.

For timber merchants and sawmills facing competitive pressure and stringent environmental regulations, these new 5-tonne electric models from HUBTEX provide the technology to modernize their logistics, streamline the flow of long and heavy goods, and demonstrate a clear commitment to an efficient, low-carbon future. The combination of high load capacity, multidirectional flexibility, and electric drive technology positions the MSL 50 and MAXX 50 as essential tools for the next generation of wood processing and distribution centers.

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Tags: 5-tonne capacity forklift, Electric multidirectional sideloader, long load transport, narrow aisle logistics, prefabricated house builders, sawmill equipment, timber handling