Sideloaders have become a terrific option for many businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather common in the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Additionally, they are used within industries that are producing unconventional items like windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business which produces awkward or oversized long things utilizes the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially made the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The first idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early models 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 forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive in a cabin similar to those utilized in traditional lift trucks. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or standard lift trucks: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and the ability to use available space more efficiently along with faster traveling speeds.
You would just be able to accurately know the best kind of equipment to finish your tasks, once you have fully assessed the work environment and kinds of jobs you will be performing. There are several great rental alternatives available too in order to know the right kind of machinery to accomplish your requirements. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a reputable dealer is another good way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the best option.