Abstract: The fork carriage of a side-loader truck is journalled for rotation about a vertical axis between two arms, one above and one below the carriage, which transmit lateral load moments to a narrow vertical member. A vertically-extending torque shaft journalled on the vertical member carries gears on its opposite ends. The gears engage laterally-extending racks spaced widely vertically apart on a rearward carriage, so that lateral load moments apply minimum forces to the racks, and rotation of the torque shaft also serves to laterally position the vertical member and the fork carriage. The rearward carriage may comprise an elevatable, mast-guided laterally-fixed carriage, or an intermediate carriage may be interposed between the vertical member and the laterally-fixed carriage to provide greater lateral load extension. An intermediate carriage having a roller arrangement insuring adequate support at any lateral load position is shown.