Even if sales volumes have normally been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the global forklift market; side-loaders have become the paramount choice of machinery within the material handling business for dealing with unusual cargo in a simple manner.
Usually, side-loaders are used within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized in businesses that are making unusual items like moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business which produces oversized long or awkward items utilizes the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally designed the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the US Air Force. The first concept was patented for commercial use but it was not made 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. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning models 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 differ a little from forward traveling, counterbalance forklifts in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting in a cabin like a conventional forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or traditional forklifts: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
Only once you evaluate your work environment and types of applications you will be putting your machinery through, would you be able to precisely know the best type of equipment to finish your tasks. There are several great rental alternatives available too in order to know the best kind of equipment to accomplish all your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the right choice.