Sideloaders have become a terrific alternative for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather popular in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized within industries which are making unusual objects like windmill arms and moldings. Basically any industry which produces awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader lift truck. 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 in 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's utilization in timber yards.
Side-loaders vary a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks situated on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting in a cabin similar to a traditional forklift. 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 wooden or metal deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks: safer operating conditions, better visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more effectively along with faster traveling speeds.
Only when you assess your work setting and types of applications you would be putting your equipment through, will you be able to accurately determine the right kind of machinery to complete your tasks. There are a few good rental options available too in order to know the best kind of equipment to suit your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is another great way to get some information as well when trying to know the right choice.