Sideloaders have become a terrific choice for many companies needing to perform handling jobs on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Normally, side-loaders are used in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. In addition, they are utilized in businesses which are producing unusual objects like for instance moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any industry which makes awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader forklift. These early models were requested from the United States Air Force. The first concept was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early models were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's use within timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive in a cabin like those used in traditional lift trucks. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks consist of: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to use available space more efficiently along with faster traveling speeds.
Only once you evaluate your work environment and types of applications you will be putting your machinery through, will you be able to precisely know the right type of machinery to complete your tasks. There are some good rental alternatives available too in order to determine the best type of machinery to suit your requirements. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to know the best choice.