Sideloaders have become a terrific option for lots of businesses 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 popular in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Furthermore, they are used within businesses that are making unusual objects including moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any industry that makes awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally made in the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These models were designed in response to a request from the US Air Force. The first idea was patented for commercial use but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in the year 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In 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 utilization in timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks situated on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting inside a cabin similar to a traditional forklift. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are done by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or standard forklifts: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and the ability to use available space more effectively as well as faster traveling speeds.
You would just be able to precisely know the best type of equipment to finish your tasks, once you have fully assessed the work environment and types of jobs you will be performing. There are some great rental options available too in order to know the right kind of equipment to accomplish all your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to know the best option.