Lumber yards, steel service centers, and pipe distributors do not run standard forklifts down their long-load aisles. They run side loaders, and the reason is simple: a side loader carries a 20-foot length of steel or timber without the load extending past the truck's footprint or requiring an operator to navigate blind around an overhang. That capability is not a luxury in those operations. It is a throughput requirement.
New side loaders from manufacturers like Bulmor, Hubtex, and Combilift run from roughly $80,000 to $250,000 depending on capacity, aisle configuration, and power source. Diesel and LPG models used in outdoor yards tend toward the lower end of that range; electrics configured for indoor narrow-aisle work can push significantly higher. Used units, when you find them in good condition, typically run $45,000 to $120,000.
We finance side loaders from $50,000, new or used, purchase or lease, and we can structure sale-leaseback transactions on units you already own. Tell us the machine, the hours, and the deal you are trying to close. B and C credit are fine. Funding generally lands in seven to fourteen days.
Side loaders frequently share a facility withcounterbalance forkliftsfor standard pallet work andturret trucksfor very-narrow-aisle racking. We finance all of them and can package a mixed-fleet deal under a single application.
Side Loader Configurations That Drive Financing Decisions
Side loaders vary more than most operators realize until they try to finance one. The main variables that affect both pricing and lender appetite are power source, load capacity, aisle width requirement, and whether the unit is configured for indoor or outdoor use.
Diesel and LPG side loaders are workhorses in outdoor lumber and pipe yards where emissions and noise are not concerns. They handle uneven ground better and tend to be more affordable than their electric counterparts. Electrics, particularly multi-directional units that can travel in multiple orientations, are the preferred choice for indoor operations where fume control and floor protection matter. Capacity typically runs from 2,500 kilograms on smaller models up to 16,000 kilograms or more on heavy-duty industrial units.
Multi-directional models from manufacturers like Combilift function as both a side loader and a standard counterbalance in one chassis, which changes the use-case economics significantly. A single machine that can handle both long loads in narrow aisles and standard pallet work in open areas reduces the total number of trucks in the fleet. That operational argument also makes a strong underwriting case.
- Side loaders typically require aisle widths of 1.5 to 2.5 meters depending on load and model
- Load lengths handled can reach 12 meters or more on large-capacity outdoor models
- Multi-directional units (Combilift C-Series, Hubtex MQ) add versatility at a cost premium
- Some electric models support opportunity charging for multiple-shift operations
For operations insteel and metal service centersorbuilding materials and lumber yards, the side loader is often the most critical truck in the facility. We underwrite accordingly.
What We Need to Fund a Side Loader
Side loaders are a specialty category, and many conventional lenders either do not recognize them as equipment they will underwrite or treat them as hard-to-value collateral. We have financed enough of them to know what the machines are worth and what the operations that run them look like financially.
Forapplication-only deals under $400,000, we need recent business operating statements and a purchase agreement or invoice. That is it. No tax returns, no audited financials, no lengthy approval process. For larger transactions, we supplement with additional financials, but the core underwriting is still cash flow and operations, not a personal credit score in isolation.
B and C credit situations are handled regularly. A prior rough credit event does not automatically kill a deal if the business cash flow is demonstrably healthy. We underwrite the operation, not just the score. If your business is moving product, running consistent revenue, and you have a clear purpose for the machine, we can usually build a workable structure.
For used side loaders purchased at auction or from private sellers, we coordinate the title work and lien verification. Those transactions add a few days but are not a barrier.
Refinance or Sale-Leaseback on Existing Side Loaders
Side loaders with equity in them are useful collateral for working capital. A sale-leaseback lets you sell the machine to a financing company and lease it back at a fixed monthly payment. You keep running the truck. The cash from the sale goes to your operating account. For lumber yards and steel distributors carrying significant equipment on their balance sheet, this is a legitimate way to free up capital without taking on unsecured debt.
Refinancing an existing note on a side loader is also an option if your original financing was at a high rate or the term structure no longer fits your cash flow. We look at the outstanding balance, the machine's current value, and what payment schedule actually works for your operation. Recent operating statements and a payoff statement from your current lender is a fast way to start that conversation.
Finance Your Side Loader Today
New or used, indoor or outdoor, fixed or multi-directional. We fund side loaders from $50,000 with no financial statements required under $400,000. Tell us the machine and the deal. Most customers are funded within seven to fourteen days. We also finance full forklift fleets through ourfleet financing program.