Sideloaders have become a terrific choice for a lot of companies needing to perform handling jobs on unconventional loads. Sales of these units are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite common within the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. Additionally, they are used in businesses which are making unconventional things like moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any industry which produces oversized long or awkward items utilizes the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially made the sideloader lift truck. These early models were requested from the US Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial use but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During 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 utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the conventional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive in a cabin like those utilized in conventional forklifts. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks: safer operating conditions, better visibility, and the ability to use available space more effectively along with faster traveling speeds.
Only when you evaluate your work environment and types of applications you will be putting your machine through, would you be able to precisely know the best kind of equipment to finish your tasks. There are a few good rental options available too in order to know the right type of machine to accomplish all your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is another great way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the right alternative.