Even if sales volumes have usually been small, around 1% to 5% of the worldwide forklift market; side-loaders have become the dominant choice of machine in the material handling industry for dealing with unusual cargo in a simple manner.
Commonly, side-loaders are used in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation industries. Moreover, they are used in businesses that are producing unconventional objects like for example windmill arms and moldings. Practically any business that makes awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
Side-loaders were originally designed during the beginning of the 1950s by Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company. These units were designed in response to a request from the United States Air Force. The initial concept was patented for commercial use 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 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 early units were made by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the equipment's use in timber yards.
Side-loaders vary a little from counterbalance, forward-traveling forklifts in that they have their forks located on the side of the machine. The operator drives the machinery sitting inside a cabin like a traditional lift truck. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast located at the driver's right-hand side. The load is typically transported lying on a wooden or metal deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the load. New innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a huge variety of lifting accessories being developed.
The use of side-loaders rather than the reach-stackers or standard forklifts: improved visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to use available space more effectively as well as faster traveling speeds.
Only when you assess your work setting and kinds of applications you will be putting your machinery through, will you be able to precisely determine the right kind of machinery to complete your tasks. There are a few great rental alternatives available as well in order to know the right kind of machinery to suit your needs. Doing some research online or talking to a reputable dealer is one more great way to get some information also when trying to figure out the best choice.