Sideloaders have become a terrific choice for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling jobs on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Normally, side-loaders are used in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction businesses. Additionally, they are utilized in industries which are producing unconventional items like moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business which makes awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
In 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 US Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during the year 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The early units were designed 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 little from forward traveling, counterbalance forklifts in that they have their forks situated on the side of the machinery. The operator drives the machine sitting inside a cabin similar to a standard forklift. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are done by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the advantages of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks consist of: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
Only once you evaluate your work setting and types of applications you will be putting your machine through, will you be able to precisely determine the best kind of equipment to finish your tasks. There are some good rental options available too in order to know the best kind of machinery to suit all your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is another good way to get some information also when trying to figure out the right alternative.