Even if sales volumes have normally been small, roughly 1% to 5% of the global forklift market; side-loaders have become the paramount choice of machinery within the material handling business for handling unconventional cargo in a simple manner.
Commonly, side-loaders are used within the timber, aluminum, steel, glass, construction and aviation businesses. In addition, they are utilized in businesses which are making unusual things like for instance moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any industry which produces awkward or oversized long objects uses the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader forklift. These early models were requested from the US Air Force. The original concept was patented for commercial application but it was not developed until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who produced the design. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. During the latter part of the 1950s, the side-loaders were launched in Europe. The beginning units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's utilization in timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a little from counterbalance, forward-traveling lift trucks in that they have their forks located on the side of the machine. The operator drives the machinery sitting in a cabin like a traditional forklift. The lifting, loading, and unloading functions are performed by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to decrease stress, distortion 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 traditional forklifts consist of: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and faster traveling speeds as well as the ability to use available space more efficiently.
You will only be able to precisely determine the right kind of machinery to complete your tasks, once you have completely assessed the work setting and kinds of jobs you would be performing. There are some good rental alternatives available as well in order to know the right type of machinery to accomplish all your requirements. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is one more great way to get some information as well when trying to know the right choice.