Sideloaders have become a great option for a lot of companies needing to perform handling jobs on unusual cargo. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather popular in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. Furthermore, they are used in businesses that are making unconventional things like windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business that produces oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed 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 United States Air Force. The first concept was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 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 equipment's use in timber yards.
Side-loaders vary 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 in a cabin similar to a traditional lift truck. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is usually 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 standard lift trucks include: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to use available space more efficiently along with faster traveling speeds.
You would just be able to accurately know the best type of equipment to finish your tasks, when you have completely evaluated the work environment and kinds of jobs you will be completing. There are several great rental options available as well in order to determine the right type of machinery to suit all your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is another great way to get some information as well when trying to know the right option.