Even though sales volumes have usually been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the paramount choice of machinery within the material handling industry for dealing with unconventional cargo in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are quite popular within the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Moreover, they are utilized within industries that are producing unconventional things like for example moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business that produces oversized long or awkward things utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially 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 US Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over during 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning units were made 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 bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the conventional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however would drive in a cabin like those utilized in conventional forklifts. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done 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 reduce stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or traditional forklifts: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more efficiently.
You would just be able to precisely determine the best kind of machine to complete your tasks, once you have completely assessed the work setting and kinds of jobs you will be completing. There are some great rental options available too in order to know the right kind of equipment to accomplish your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is another great way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the best option.