Sideloaders have become a great option for lots of businesses needing to perform handling jobs on unusual cargo. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather common within the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, construction and aviation industries. Moreover, they are used within industries that are producing unconventional objects like windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry which produces oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed during the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were designed in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 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 utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the traditional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive in a cabin like those utilized in conventional forklifts. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The load is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to decrease stress, distortion and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
Only when you assess your work setting and types of applications you will be putting your equipment through, would you be able to accurately determine the right type of machine to finish your tasks. There are some great rental options available as well in order to know the right kind of machine to accomplish all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is another good way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the best option.