Sideloaders have become a terrific choice for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual cargo. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite popular in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized within industries which are producing unconventional things including windmill arms and moldings. Basically any industry which produces awkward or oversized long things utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally designed in the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These models were designed in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In 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 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 equipment. The operator drives the equipment sitting inside a cabin similar to a standard forklift. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. 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 large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the advantages of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional forklifts comprise: safer operating conditions, enhanced visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more efficiently.
Only once you evaluate your work setting and types of applications you will be putting your machine through, would you be able to accurately determine the right kind of equipment to complete your tasks. There are some good rental alternatives available as well in order to know the best kind of equipment to accomplish your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to figure out the right option.