Sideloaders have become a terrific option for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional loads. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather popular within the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. Furthermore, they are used in businesses which are making unusual items like windmill arms and moldings. Basically any industry which makes awkward or oversized long things utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed in 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 US Air Force. The original concept was patented for commercial use but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during the year 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's use in timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from forward traveling, counterbalance lift trucks in that they have their forks situated on the side of the machinery. The operator drives the machine sitting in a cabin similar to a conventional forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is normally transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or standard forklifts: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently as well as faster traveling speeds.
You would only be able to precisely determine the right type of machine to finish your tasks, once you have fully assessed the work environment and types of tasks you will be completing. There are some great rental alternatives available too in order to determine the best type of machine to suit all 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 as well when trying to know the right choice.