Even if sales volumes have usually been small, about 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machinery in the material handling business for handling unconventional cargo in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are rather common within the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. In addition, they are utilized within industries which are producing unconventional objects including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business that produces awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader forklift. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial application 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 made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's use in timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive in a cabin similar to those used in standard forklifts. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is normally transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or traditional forklifts: safer operating conditions, enhanced visibility, and the ability to use available space more effectively as well as faster traveling speeds.
You will only be able to precisely determine the right kind of machine to complete your tasks, when you have completely evaluated the work environment and kinds of tasks you will be performing. There are some good rental choices available as well in order to know the best kind of machine to suit all your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is another great way to get some information as well when trying to know the best option.