The Challenge of Mixed-Load Handling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conventional palletised goods are straightforward to handle with a counterbalance forklift. Long materials are different. A six-metre steel profile or aluminium extrusion creates a much larger turning envelope, making doorways, restricted routes and production areas more difficult to navigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sideways travel solves much of this problem by allowing long loads to move along their length, which is why multidirectional forklifts are so effective in long-load applications. But long materials are often only part of the daily workload. The same operation may also need to unload pallets, move components to production, transport finished goods or load trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A conventional counterbalance forklift <\/a>performs these everyday tasks well, while a traditional multidirectional forklift<\/a> is more specialised for long-load handling. For operations that regularly need both, the challenge is finding a truck that can combine these two capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drawing on its experience in multidirectional forklift development, MiMA developed the MQK series for operations that need both conventional pallet handling and long-load transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MiMA MQK Series supports everyday tasks such as transport, stacking, loading and unloading, while also allowing the truck to travel sideways when handling long materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For steel profiles, aluminium extrusions, timber, pipes and similar loads, sideways travel helps the truck move through restricted spaces with less manoeuvring. Multidirectional movement also makes direction changes and positioning easier in confined areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, the MQK can handle standard palletised goods in a conventional way, switch to sideways travel for long materials, and use multidirectional movement to manoeuvre more easily in restricted spaces. This allows one truck to adapt to different loads and handling tasks within the same operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The compact counterbalance structure allows the MQK to handle both l<\/strong>ong materials and standard palletised goods, without the extended support legs used on conventional multidirectional reach-type trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Standard sideshift and fork-positioning functions make it easier to adapt to different load widths and position goods accurately during handling and stacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With rated capacities of 3.0\u20134.0 tonnes and lift heights of up to 8.0 m, the MQK Series is equipped for a wide range of transport and stacking tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A compact truck design and multi-directional steering give the MQK greater freedom where working space is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The truck can travel forward, sideways and diagonally, as well as rotate in place, allowing the operator to choose the most suitable movement for the load and available space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sideways travel is particularly effective for long materials, while the additional travel modes make positioning and direction changes easier in narrow aisles and confined areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides, its continuous switching function allows seamless transitions between forward and sideways travel without stopping, helping maintain smoother movement during frequent handling cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow the MiMA MQK Combines Both Capabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Comparison](\"https:\/\/www.mimaforklift.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MiMA_MQK_positioning_chart_web-1-1024x624.webp\")
More Capability in One Truck<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"MiMA](\"https:\/\/www.mimaforklift.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MiMA_MQK_application_web-1024x768.webp\")
Versatile Load Handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Flexible Multidirectional Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n