Sideloaders have become a great choice for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Usually, side-loaders are utilized within the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. Additionally, they are used in industries which are making unusual items including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business that produces oversized long or awkward things utilizes the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial utilization but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The early models were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive inside a cabin like those used in conventional forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are done by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks include: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
Only when you evaluate your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your machine through, would you be able to precisely know the best type of machinery to complete your tasks. There are some great rental choices available as well in order to know the best type of machine to accomplish all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to know the best option.