The A Series requires approximately 1.5 metres (5 feet) of clearance along the side of the container to position the lifting hoists manually. The hoists are designed to roll into position on smooth surfaces such as concrete or asphalt before being attached to the container.

The A Series was designed in accordance with recognised European lifting equipment standards, including BS EN 1494 for lifting equipment. Every container lift is proof tested to 150% of its rated capacity before leaving our factory. The design also incorporates multiple safety features, including safety-rated emergency stop circuits, counterbalance valves, and fail-safe hydraulic systems that prevent the load from lowering unexpectedly in the event of a power or hydraulic failure.

Both systems are electrically powered and operate very quietly. During normal operation you'll hear only the sound of the electric motors running, making them well suited to indoor manufacturing facilities and other environments where excessive noise is undesirable. The noise from the motor is around 58 to 72 dB(A) when measured at a distance of 1 meter. This is roughly equivalent to the volume of a normal conversation or a quiet office environment.

The standard systems are designed to operate between approximately -10°C (14°F) and 40°C (104°F). For hotter environments, additional cooling options are available to extend the upper operating temperature.

Both systems operate from a single-phase 200–240V AC power supply (50 or 60 Hz). The A Series typically draws around 10 amps, while the higher-capacity X Series can draw up to 25 amps when lifting a fully loaded container. For North American installations, where the supply is 110 or 120 VAC, the power can be taken from two phases, line-to-line, to get the required voltage.

The A Series provides a maximum lifting height of 1,650 mm (65 inches).

No. The orange linking cables supply electrical power only. Communication between the remote control, tilt sensor and lifting units is completely wireless.

Once the container is raised, there is approximately 20 inches (50cm) of clearance, or 10 inches (25cm) either side, providing ample room for a trailer to reverse underneath. With the A Series, the suspended container naturally self-aligns with the trailer's twist locks, making positioning straightforward. With the X Series, you can lower a pair of legs on one side, to provide side shift to help find the twistlocks. In our experience, truck drivers generally find the process simple after their first transfer.

Yes. The remotes are compatible with both systems. The X Series remote includes additional controls for selecting individual lifting legs remotely, as these controls are not otherwise accessible when the container is lifted at full height. This isn’t needed for the A Series as the control box stays at ground level during a lift.

Yes. We offer several container lifts below the capacity of the A and X Series, including the M Series, Mantis, and T Series, with capacities starting from 10 tonne (22,000 lb).

The right model for you depends on your container weights, lifting frequency, operating environment and budget.

Yes. Both systems measure the load on each leg while operating, allowing the total container weight and weight distribution to be calculated. This information can be viewed through the Bison app.

Yes. The standard X40 lifts 40 tonnes (88,000 lbs) and can be upgraded to an X45 with a capacity of 45 tonnes (99,000 lbs). The upgrade uses higher-strength chains and higher-pressure hydraulics while retaining the same overall machine structure.

The best choice depends on your application.

The A Series is ideal for smooth indoor surfaces, restricted spaces and operations where a forklift is not available. It offers a lower purchase cost while still providing automated lifting.

The X Series is better suited to higher container volumes, heavier loads, rougher ground and operations where a forklift is already available. It offers faster setup, higher lifting capacity and greater productivity.

Our team is happy to help recommend the best solution based on your site, container weights and workflow.

The X Series (and our T Series) offer the greatest tolerance for uneven ground because each leg is attached at two points on each corner. This improves stability. Also, the way these legs function will accommodate variations in ground height. The M Series and A Series can still accommodate sloping ground of up to 3 degrees provided the legs are set up vertically and due care is taken.

Removing the lifting units is simply the reverse of the installation process. For the X Series, a forklift engages the lifting unit, releases the twist lock, and lifts it clear of the container in seconds. For the A Series, the carrier is removed from the container, then the hoist is lowered and rolled away. The removal process is quick and generally faster than the initial setup.