Sideloaders have become a terrific option for a lot of businesses needing to perform handling jobs on unusual cargo. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Commonly, side-loaders are used in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction businesses. In addition, they are utilized in industries which are producing unusual objects including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry that makes oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally designed in 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 first concept was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in the year 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the late 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 equipment's utilization within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a little from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machine sitting in a cabin like a traditional forklift. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are performed by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the benefits of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks include: safer operating conditions, better visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
You will only be able to accurately determine the best type of machine to finish your tasks, when you have completely assessed the work environment and kinds of jobs you would be performing. There are a few good rental choices available too in order to determine the best kind of machine to suit your requirements. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the best choice.