Sideloaders have become a terrific choice for a lot of companies needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional loads. Sales of these units are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Commonly, side-loaders are utilized within the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Additionally, they are utilized in industries that are making unusual things like for example moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business which makes oversized long or awkward items utilizes the side-loaders.
During the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially made the sideloader forklift. 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 in 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units were made 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 situated on the side of the machinery. The operator drives the machine sitting inside a cabin similar to a standard forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to lessen stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the advantages of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard forklifts consist of: safer operating conditions, better visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently along with faster traveling speeds.
Only when you evaluate your work setting and types of applications you will be putting your equipment through, will you be able to precisely know the right kind of equipment to complete your tasks. There are several good rental alternatives available too in order to determine the best kind of machine to suit all your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is another good way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the right option.