Even if sales volumes have usually been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machinery within the material handling industry for dealing with unconventional loads in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are rather popular within the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. In addition, they are used in industries that are producing unusual things like for instance windmill arms and moldings. Basically any business that makes awkward or oversized long things utilizes 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 United States Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial application but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units 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 vary a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling lift trucks in that they have their forks located on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the machine sitting inside a cabin similar to a standard lift truck. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce stress, distortion and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the advantages of using side-loaders over reach-stackers or conventional lift trucks include: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more efficiently.
You would only be able to precisely know the right type of equipment to finish your tasks, when you have fully assessed the work setting and kinds of jobs you would be performing. There are a few great rental options available too in order to determine the best kind of equipment 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 know the best choice.