Sideloaders have become a great alternative for many companies needing to perform handling jobs on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Normally, side-loaders are utilized within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. In addition, they are utilized in businesses that are making unusual items including windmill arms and moldings. Basically any industry that makes oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially made 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 original idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over during the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 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 within timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive in a cabin similar to those utilized in traditional forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is normally transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to lessen stress, distortion and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to utilize available space more effectively in addition to faster traveling speeds.
Only when you assess your work setting and kinds of applications you would be putting your machine through, would you be able to precisely determine the best type of equipment to finish your tasks. There are several good rental choices available too in order to determine the best type of machinery to accomplish 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 also when trying to figure out the right choice.