Even though sales volumes have normally been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machine within the material handling industry for dealing with unconventional loads in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are quite popular in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction businesses. In addition, they are used in industries which are making unusual things like for example moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any industry that produces awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader lift truck. These early models were requested from the United States Air Force. The first concept was patented for commercial use but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in the year 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning models were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's utilization within timber yards.
Side-loaders vary a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks located on the side of the machinery. The operator drives the equipment sitting in a cabin like a traditional forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is typically transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
Some of the advantages of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard lift trucks comprise: 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 precisely determine the best kind of machinery to finish your tasks, when you have completely evaluated the work setting and types of tasks you would be performing. There are several good rental choices available as well in order to know the right type of machinery to accomplish your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is one more good way to get some information also when trying to figure out the best option.