Sideloaders have become a terrific choice for a lot of 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.
Usually, side-loaders are utilized within the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized within industries that are producing unusual items like for example windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry which produces awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader forklift. These early units were requested from the US Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial use but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to 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 little different from the counterbalanced forklift, as 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 utilized in conventional lift trucks. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The load is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard forklifts include: safer operating conditions, better visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently as well as faster traveling speeds.
Only when you evaluate your work environment and types of applications you would be putting your equipment through, would you be able to precisely know the right kind of equipment to finish your tasks. There are some good rental options available as well in order to determine the right kind of machinery to accomplish all 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 figure out the best option.