Sideloaders have become a great alternative for many businesses needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional cargo. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite common within the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Additionally, they are utilized in businesses that are making unconventional objects including moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any industry which produces awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
In the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company originally made the sideloader lift truck. These early models were requested from the US Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial utilization 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 introduced to Europe. The early units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's utilization in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however will drive in a cabin like those utilized in conventional 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 stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the benefits of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or traditional forklifts consist of: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more efficiently.
You will just be able to precisely determine the right type of machinery to finish your tasks, when you have fully assessed the work environment and kinds of jobs you would be performing. There are a few good rental choices available too in order to know the right type of machine to accomplish your requirements. Doing some research online or talking to a respectable dealer is one more good way to get some information also when trying to know the best alternative.