Sideloaders have become a great choice for a lot of companies needing to perform handling tasks on unconventional cargo. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are rather popular in the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Moreover, they are used in industries that are producing unconventional objects like windmill arms and moldings. Basically any industry that makes oversized long or awkward items utilizes the side-loaders.
In the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader lift truck. These early models were requested from the US Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made 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. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The beginning units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's use in timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks situated on the side of the machine. The operator drives the equipment sitting inside a cabin like a conventional forklift. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is usually transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or standard forklifts: safer operating conditions, enhanced visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
Only when you assess your work setting and kinds of applications you will be putting your equipment through, will you be able to accurately determine the right type of machine to finish your tasks. There are several good rental options available too in order to know the best kind of equipment to meet your needs. 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.