Even though sales volumes have usually been small, approximately 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machinery in the material handling business for handling unusual loads in a simple way.
Normally, side-loaders are utilized within the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction businesses. In addition, they are used in industries which are producing unusual things including moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any industry which makes oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially made in the beginning 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 initial idea was patented for commercial application 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 made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The early models were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive inside a cabin similar to those utilized in standard lift trucks. 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 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.
Some of the benefits of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional forklifts consist of: enhanced visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
Only when you assess your work setting and types of applications you would be putting your machine through, would you be able to accurately determine the right kind of equipment to finish your tasks. There are a few good rental alternatives available as well in order to know the right type of machine to meet your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to figure out the right alternative.