Even though sales volumes have usually been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of equipment in the material handling business for handling unconventional loads in a simple manner.
Normally, side-loaders are utilized within the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. In addition, they are used within industries which are making unusual objects like for instance moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business which makes awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially made in the start of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were designed in response to a request from the US Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial use but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company during 1959. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the late 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, as the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks 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 forklifts. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast located at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or standard lift trucks: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more efficiently.
Only when you evaluate your work environment and kinds of applications you would be putting your machine through, would you be able to accurately know the best kind of machinery to complete your tasks. There are a few great rental choices available as well in order to determine the right kind of machine to suit all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is another great way to get some information also when trying to know the best choice.