Even though sales volumes have usually been small, around 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the paramount choice of machine within the material handling industry for dealing with unusual loads in a simple way.
Commonly, side-loaders are used within the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. Furthermore, they are used within industries which are making unusual items like moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any business that makes oversized long or awkward objects uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially designed 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 utilization but it was not developed 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 late 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The beginning 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 differ a bit from counterbalance, forward-traveling lift trucks in that they have their forks situated on the side of the equipment. The operator drives the equipment sitting in a cabin like a standard lift truck. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the benefits of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard lift trucks include: safer operating conditions, better visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to utilize available space more effectively.
Only once you evaluate your work environment and types of applications you would be putting your machine through, would you be able to precisely know the best kind of machine to complete your tasks. There are several great rental alternatives available as well in order to determine the right type of machine to accomplish your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a reputable dealer is another good way to get some information as well when trying to figure out the best alternative.