Even if sales volumes have normally been small, around 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machinery within the material handling business for dealing with unusual cargo in a simple way.
Usually, side-loaders are used in the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. Moreover, they are utilized within industries that are making unusual items including moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business that produces awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader forklift.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 developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over during 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. 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 machine's use within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from forward traveling, counterbalance forklifts in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting inside a cabin like a conventional lift truck. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The load is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease stress, distortion and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or traditional forklifts include: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to use available space more effectively as well as faster traveling speeds.
Only once you assess your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your equipment through, would you be able to accurately know the best type of equipment to finish your tasks. There are a few great rental alternatives available too in order to know the best type of machinery to suit your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is another great way to get some information also when trying to know the right alternative.