Even if sales volumes have usually been small, about 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of equipment in the material handling industry for dealing with unusual cargo in a simple manner.
Normally, side-loaders are utilized in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. Furthermore, they are used within businesses that are making unconventional things including moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any industry which makes awkward or oversized long items utilizes the side-loaders.
During the beginning of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially made the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the United States Air Force. The initial idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over in 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the late 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The early units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's utilization within timber yards.
The side-loader is a little different from the counterbalanced forklift, as the conventional forward-traveling forklifts have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator however would drive inside a cabin similar to those used in conventional lift trucks. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are done by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The load is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease stress, distortion and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or conventional forklifts: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more effectively.
Only when you evaluate your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your machinery through, would you be able to accurately determine the right kind of machinery to finish your tasks. There are several good rental choices available too in order to know the right kind of machinery to meet your requirements. Doing some research on the World Wide Web or talking to a reputable dealer is another good way to get some information also when trying to know the best option.