Sideloaders have become a great alternative for lots of businesses needing to perform handling jobs on unconventional loads. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Usually, side-loaders are utilized in the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Furthermore, they are used within industries that are making unconventional items like for instance moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business that produces oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
In the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader forklift. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial application but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's utilization in timber yards.
Side-loaders vary a little from forward traveling, counterbalance forklifts in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting inside a cabin similar to a standard lift truck. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The load is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or conventional forklifts: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
You will just be able to precisely know the best kind of machinery to finish your tasks, once you have fully evaluated the work setting and kinds of jobs you will be completing. There are some great rental choices available as well in order to determine the right kind of machine to suit your requirements. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is another great way to get some information also when trying to figure out the right option.