Sideloaders have become a great alternative for a lot of companies needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional cargo. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Usually, side-loaders are utilized in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized within industries which are making unconventional things including windmill arms and moldings. Basically any business which produces oversized long or awkward objects utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed during the start of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were made in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning models were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's use within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling lift trucks in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting in a cabin similar to a conventional forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is usually transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
Only when you assess your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your machine through, would you be able to precisely know the right type of equipment to finish your tasks. There are several good rental options available as well in order to know the best type of machine to suit your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information as well when trying to know the right choice.