Sideloaders have become a great choice for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unusual cargo. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather popular in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. Furthermore, they are utilized within industries that are making unconventional objects including moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business that produces oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially made during 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 first idea was patented for commercial use but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during 1959. 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 little different from the counterbalanced forklift, since the traditional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive inside a cabin like those used in conventional lift trucks. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are done by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The load is typically transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or traditional forklifts: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to utilize available space more effectively in addition to faster traveling speeds.
You would only be able to accurately determine the right kind of equipment to finish your tasks, once you have completely evaluated the work environment and types of tasks you would be performing. There are several good rental alternatives available too in order to determine the best type of machine to meet all your requirements. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is another great way to get some information also when trying to know the best alternative.