Sideloaders have become a great option for many companies needing to perform handling jobs on unusual loads. Sales of these units are small though, taking up 1% to 5% of the international forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite popular within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. Additionally, they are used in businesses which are producing unusual items including moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business that makes awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed in the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were made in response to a request from the US Air Force. The first idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during the year 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made 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.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, because the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however would drive in a cabin similar to those used in standard lift trucks. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress 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 standard lift trucks consist of: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
You would just be able to accurately determine the right kind of machine to complete your tasks, once you have fully assessed the work environment and types of tasks you would be completing. There are several great rental options available too in order to determine the right type of equipment to accomplish your requirements. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to know the right option.