Sideloaders have become a great option for lots of companies needing to perform handling jobs on unconventional cargo. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather common within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. Furthermore, they are used in businesses which are producing unusual objects including moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any industry which makes awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader lift truck. These early models were requested from the United States Air Force. The first idea was patented for commercial use but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning models were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's use within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a little from counterbalance, forward-traveling lift trucks in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the equipment sitting inside a cabin similar to a traditional forklift. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is normally transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the benefits of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks consist of: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more efficiently.
You will just be able to precisely know the right kind of machine to complete your tasks, once you have fully assessed the work environment and types of jobs you would be performing. There are some great rental choices available as well in order to know the right type of machine to accomplish your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a reputable dealer is another good way to get some information also when trying to know the right choice.