Sideloaders have become a great option for lots of companies needing to perform handling jobs on unconventional loads. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite popular in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized within industries which are making unusual objects including moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business which produces oversized long or awkward items uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed during the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These models were designed in response to a request from the US Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 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 use in timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive in a cabin like those utilized in conventional forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the advantages of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks include: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
Only once you evaluate your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your equipment through, would you be able to precisely determine the best kind of equipment to complete your tasks. There are some great rental options available as well in order to determine the best type of equipment to meet your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to know the best choice.