Even though sales volumes have normally been small, around 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machinery in the material handling business for handling unconventional loads in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are rather popular within the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Additionally, they are utilized within industries which are producing unconventional items like moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business which makes oversized long or awkward objects utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally designed 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 concept 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. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early models 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 little different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive in a cabin similar to those used in traditional forklifts. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is usually transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or traditional forklifts: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently in addition to faster traveling speeds.
You will just be able to accurately know the best kind of equipment to complete your tasks, once you have completely assessed the work environment and kinds of jobs you will be performing. There are several good rental alternatives available as well in order to determine the right kind of machine to accomplish all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to know the best alternative.