Sideloaders have become a great option for lots of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Commonly, side-loaders are utilized in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. Additionally, they are utilized in businesses which are producing unconventional objects like for example moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business that makes awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader lift truck. These early models were requested from the US Air Force. The original concept was patented for commercial utilization 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 late 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 equipment's use in 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 however would drive inside a cabin similar to those used in traditional lift trucks. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the advantages of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard lift trucks include: safer operating conditions, enhanced visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently along with faster traveling speeds.
Only once you assess your work environment and types of applications you would be putting your equipment through, would you be able to precisely determine the best kind of machinery to finish your tasks. There are a few good rental alternatives available as well in order to know the right kind of machine to meet your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to know the right alternative.