Sideloaders have become a great choice for many companies needing to perform handling jobs on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Usually, side-loaders are used within the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Moreover, they are used in industries which are making unusual items including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business which makes awkward or oversized long things utilizes the side-loaders.
During the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally designed the sideloader forklift. These early models were requested from the US Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over during the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's use within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from forward traveling, counterbalance forklifts in that they have their forks situated on the side of the machinery. The operator drives the machinery sitting inside a cabin similar to a traditional forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks: safer operating conditions, better 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 machinery to finish your tasks, once you have fully assessed the work environment and types of jobs you would be performing. There are several good rental alternatives available as well in order to know the right type of machinery to meet all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is another good way to get some information as well when trying to know the right option.