Sideloaders have become a great alternative for lots of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite popular in the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. Moreover, they are used in industries that are making unusual objects like windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry that produces awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
During the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the US Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over during the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The beginning units 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 bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, since the conventional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however would drive inside a cabin similar to those utilized in traditional forklifts. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The load is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce 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 use of side-loaders rather than 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 once you evaluate your work setting and types of applications you would be putting your machine through, would you be able to precisely determine the right type of equipment to complete your tasks. There are some great rental choices available too in order to determine the best kind of machine to meet all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to know the best alternative.