Even if sales volumes have usually been small, approximately 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the paramount choice of equipment in the material handling industry for dealing with unusual loads in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are rather popular in the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, construction and aviation industries. Furthermore, they are used in industries that are producing unusual objects including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry that makes awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally made during the start of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These models were designed in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial utilization but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in 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 utilization in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the traditional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however will drive in a cabin like those utilized in standard lift trucks. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
You would only be able to precisely determine the best kind of equipment to complete your tasks, when you have fully evaluated the work environment and kinds of jobs you would be completing. There are some great rental choices available as well in order to determine the right type of machine to meet your requirements. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a reputable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the best choice.