Sideloaders have become a great choice for many companies needing to perform handling jobs on unconventional cargo. Sales of these units are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite common in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. In addition, they are used in businesses which are making unconventional objects like moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business which makes awkward or oversized long items uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally made during the start of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were made in response to a request from the US Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial application but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the late 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The beginning units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, since the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive in a cabin like those utilized in traditional forklifts. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to lessen stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or conventional forklifts: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
You would just be able to accurately determine the right type of equipment to complete your tasks, when you have fully evaluated the work setting and types of tasks you would be performing. There are some good rental choices available too in order to determine the right kind of equipment to suit all your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a reputable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to figure out the best option.