Sideloaders have become a great alternative for lots of companies needing to perform handling tasks on unusual cargo. Sales of these models are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite common in the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, aviation and construction industries. Additionally, they are used in industries that are making unusual objects like for example windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry that makes awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader forklift. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The beginning units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the traditional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive in a cabin similar to those used in traditional lift trucks. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is typically transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
You will only be able to accurately know the best type of machine to complete your tasks, once you have completely assessed the work setting and kinds of tasks you would be completing. There are some good rental choices available as well in order to know the best kind of equipment to suit your needs. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a respectable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to know the right alternative.