Even if sales volumes have normally been small, around 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of equipment within the material handling industry for handling unusual loads in a simple way.
Sideloaders are quite popular within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, aviation and construction businesses. In addition, they are utilized in industries which are producing unusual objects like moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any industry that makes awkward or oversized long things uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally made in the start of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were designed in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The first idea was patented for commercial utilization but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in the year 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 late 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The early models were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's use within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks situated on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machinery sitting inside a cabin like a traditional forklift. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are done by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is usually transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to use available space more effectively in addition to faster traveling speeds.
You will just be able to accurately determine the best kind of equipment to complete your tasks, once 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 know the best type of equipment 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 also when trying to figure out the best alternative.