Even if sales volumes have usually been small, around 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machinery in the material handling industry for dealing with unusual loads in a simple way.
Commonly, side-loaders are utilized in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation industries. Additionally, they are used within businesses which are producing unusual items like for instance windmill arms and moldings. Basically any business that produces awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
In the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader forklift. These early models were requested from the United States Air Force. The first concept was patented for commercial use but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. 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 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 lift trucks have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive in a cabin like those used in traditional forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the advantages of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard lift trucks comprise: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more efficiently.
You would only be able to accurately know the right kind of equipment to complete your tasks, when you have completely evaluated the work environment and types of jobs you will be completing. There are a few great rental choices available too in order to determine the right kind of machinery to suit your requirements. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the right option.