Sideloaders have become a great choice for lots of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional cargo. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite common in the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. Additionally, they are used in businesses which are making unconventional things including moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any industry which produces 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 initially designed the sideloader forklift. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial application but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's utilization in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit 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 though would drive in a cabin like those utilized in standard lift trucks. The unloading, lifting and loading 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 cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the benefits of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional forklifts include: safer operating conditions, enhanced visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
You will only be able to precisely determine the best kind of equipment to finish your tasks, once you have completely assessed the work setting and types of tasks you would be performing. There are several great rental alternatives available as well in order to determine the best kind of machinery to accomplish all your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to figure out the right choice.