Sideloaders have become a great choice for many companies needing to perform handling tasks on unusual loads. Sales of these models are small however, taking up 1% to 5% of the global forklift market.
Sideloaders are quite common in the aluminum, timber, glass, steel, construction and aviation businesses. Furthermore, they are used in industries that are producing unconventional objects like for example windmill arms and moldings. Practically any industry which makes oversized long or awkward items uses the side-loaders.
In the start of the 1950's, Henry Le Grande Lull from the Lull Manufacturing Company initially designed the sideloader lift truck. These early units were requested from the US Air Force. The original idea was patented for commercial utilization but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over by the Baker Raulang Company in 1959. It was Baker Raulang who put the design into production. Later, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the latter part of the 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 machine's utilization in 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 machinery. The operator drives the equipment sitting in a cabin similar to a traditional lift truck. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed 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 lessen distortion, stress and damage to the load. Recent innovations to the side-loader design have integrated a large variety of lifting accessories being developed.
A few of the advantages of utilizing side-loaders over reach-stackers or standard forklifts consist of: better visibility, safer operating conditions, and the ability to utilize available space more efficiently as well as faster traveling speeds.
Only when you evaluate your work environment and kinds of applications you will be putting your machinery through, will you be able to accurately determine the right kind of equipment to complete your tasks. There are some good rental alternatives available as well in order to determine the right type of machinery to meet your needs. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is another good way to get some information also when trying to know the right option.