A side shift control device for a forklift truck, which is configured to cause a side shift unit to move a pair of forks holding a pallet in a right-left direction so that the pallet comes in contact with an object when the pallet is placed beside the object, includes: a side shift control unit configured to control the side shift unit so that the pair of forks begin to move toward the object after the pair of forks are inserted into a pair of fork holes formed in the pallet; a detecting unit configured to detect a movement of the pallet with the forks inserted in the fork holes; and a determining unit configured to determine, based on the movement of the pallet detected by the detecting unit, whether the pallet is in contact with the object.

A side-shift fork carriage for a material handling machine includes a frame; a first shuttle comprising a first fork attachment member for receiving a first fork; a first fork actuator operable to side-shift the first shuttle relative to the frame; a second shuttle comprising a second fork attachment member for receiving a second fork; and, a second fork actuator operable to side-shift the second shuttle relative to the frame, wherein the first and second fork actuators are operable in a first mode in which the position of the first and second shuttles are side-shifted to alter the lateral distance therebetween, and a second mode in which the first and second shuttles are shifted unidirectionally with the lateral distance therebetween remaining constant.