Even though sales volumes have typically been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the international forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of equipment in the material handling business for handling unusual cargo in a simple way.
Sideloaders are rather popular within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, construction and aviation industries. Moreover, they are utilized within industries which are making unusual things including windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business which produces awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
In 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 US Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial use 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 produced the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 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 utilization in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the traditional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks while the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though will drive in a cabin like those utilized in standard lift trucks. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is usually 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 large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or standard forklifts: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
Only when you evaluate your work setting and kinds of applications you will be putting your machine through, will you be able to precisely know the right type of machinery to finish your tasks. There are some great rental alternatives available too in order to know the best kind of machinery to accomplish all your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information as well when trying to know the best choice.