Sideloaders have become a terrific alternative for a lot of companies needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these units are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Commonly, side-loaders are used in the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Additionally, they are utilized in businesses that are making unusual objects including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business that makes awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally designed the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested 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 during 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The beginning units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's use in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive inside a cabin like those used in conventional lift trucks. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks consist of: safer operating conditions, enhanced visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently in addition to faster traveling speeds.
You would just be able to accurately determine the right kind of equipment to finish your tasks, once you have completely evaluated the work environment and kinds of tasks you will be performing. There are some great rental choices available as well in order to know the right type of machine to meet all your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is another good way to get some information also when trying to figure out the right alternative.