Sideloaders have become a great option for lots of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite popular within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. In addition, they are utilized within industries which are producing unconventional objects including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry that produces awkward or oversized long things utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally designed in the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were made in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The original concept was patented for commercial use 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. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's use in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive inside a cabin similar to those utilized in traditional forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or traditional forklifts: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more efficiently.
Only once you assess your work environment and types of applications you will be putting your machinery through, would you be able to accurately know the best type of machine to finish your tasks. There are some good rental options available too in order to determine the right type of machinery to suit 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 know the best alternative.