Sideloaders have become a terrific alternative for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling jobs on unconventional loads. Sales of these units are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather popular in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. Moreover, they are utilized in businesses that are producing unusual items like for example moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business that produces oversized long or awkward things utilizes the side-loaders.
In the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the US Air Force. The original concept was patented for commercial application but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in 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 beginning units were made 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, as the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however would drive in a cabin like those utilized in conventional forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The load is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard forklifts consist of: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more efficiently.
Only when you evaluate your work setting and types of applications you would be putting your machinery through, will you be able to precisely determine the right type of equipment to complete your tasks. There are a few good rental options available too in order to determine the right kind of equipment to suit your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is another great way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the right option.