Even though sales volumes have usually been small, about 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machine in the material handling industry for handling unconventional cargo in a simple manner.
Sideloaders are quite common in the aluminum, timber, steel, glass, aviation and construction businesses. Furthermore, they are utilized in industries that are making unusual items including moldings, and windmill arms. Practically any business which makes awkward or oversized long things uses the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were initially made in the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These models were made in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The original concept 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 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 machine's use within timber yards.
Side-loaders differ a little from forward traveling, counterbalance lift trucks in that they have their forks situated on the side of the machine. The operator drives the equipment sitting inside a cabin similar to a standard lift truck. The unloading, lifting and loading functions are done by the mast situated at the right-hand side of the driver. The load is usually transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to reduce distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders as opposed to the reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to use available space more effectively along with faster traveling speeds.
Only once you evaluate your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your machine through, would you be able to accurately determine the best type of machinery to finish your tasks. There are several great rental alternatives available as well in order to determine the best kind of machinery to meet all your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to know the best option.