With the introduction of 9’6” High Cube containers it became apparent that all side loaders developed to date would be over height. This brought about the development of the HC4020 Swinglift™ and by using air suspension and low profile tyres a new low chassis height was achieved. The solution soon became an industry standard within the very strict New Zealand regulatory regime.

The following years saw Wynyard looking after sales and marketing and ongoing design development, with manufacture undertaken by Howells Engineering in Tuakau for Swinglift. The Swinglift brand became well known by NZ transport companies for quality and low tare/high payload solutions.

First Swinglift delivered to an Australian customer – SPD in Adelaide. (This same Swinglift was sold to a Fijian company in 2016).

After a break from side loader design Wynyard’s penchant for innovation led to the release of the SL4020, the first 40’/20’ container side loader in Australasia and legal on New Zealand roads for 40’ containers. With a lift capacity up to 35 Tonne the notable features were the Swinglift™ side loader’s new Leg-Over stabilisers and hydraulic slide cylinders fitted for changing the crane lift module position on the chassis for 20’ or 40’ container cartage capability. This new Swinglift design which also complied with NZ road regulations effectively superseded the standard trombone side loader models that were at that time being produced by competitors, and which were proving very restrictive in 20’ and 40’ container cartage.

While the first SL4020 model was built with a typical I-Beam chassis, it soon became apparent that tare weight and low maintenance slide systems were important factors for transport companies. The Lattice chassis was introduced which proved to be very robust and providing a low tare while retaining strength for heavy containers. The lift modules were mounted on chromed round bars that that formed the top chord of the chassis ensuring smooth transitions and accurate module placement. It has been proven that the slide bushes in the crane modules can last up to 15 years or more saving time and maintenance costs when compared against other designs.

Development of the concept continued and in May 1976 the first road legal 20’ container side loader in Australasia was introduced. Truck mounted for 20’ containers with a lift capacity up to 20 Tonne the first of these units was noteworthy for the utilisation of New Zealand’s then newly introduced super single tyres on the front axles of a truck, and for being the first to comply with NZ road regulations for a 20’ container side loader.

Rob Wynyard, a New Zealand engineer was the first to introduce the concept of container side loaders to Australasia.  The first truck mounted Swinglift was manufactured for 10’ rail containers.  It was later modified to accommodate 15’ Sea Freighters.