Even if sales volumes have typically 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 handling unusual loads in a simple way.
Sideloaders are rather common in the timber, aluminum, glass, steel, aviation and construction industries. In addition, they are used within industries which are producing unconventional objects like moldings, and windmill arms. Basically any industry which produces awkward or oversized long objects utilizes the side-loaders.
In 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 original idea was patented for commercial application but it was not made until Lull Manufacturing was taken over during the year 1959 by the Baker Raulang Company. It was Baker Raulang who made the design. Afterward, the name was changed to Baker Traveloader. In the late 1950s, the side-loaders were introduced to Europe. The early units were designed by Italian manufacturer Fiora and the afterwards B-P Battioni e Pagani who pioneered the machine's utilization in timber yards.
The side-loader is a bit different from the counterbalanced forklift, since the traditional forward-traveling lift trucks have front facing forks whilst the side-loader has side facing forks. The operator though would drive inside a cabin similar to those used in standard lift trucks. The loading, unloading and lifting functions are performed by the mast situated at the driver's right-hand side. The cargo is normally transported lying on a metal or wooden deck. This helps to lessen distortion, stress and damage to the cargo. New innovations to the side-loader design have incorporated a large range of lifting accessories being developed.
The utilization of side-loaders instead of the reach-stackers or traditional lift trucks: safer operating conditions, improved visibility, and the ability to utilize available space more effectively in addition to faster traveling speeds.
You would just be able to precisely know the right kind of equipment to finish your tasks, once you have fully evaluated the work setting and types of tasks you will be performing. There are some great rental alternatives available too in order to determine the best kind of machinery to meet all your requirements. Doing some research on the Internet or talking to a respectable dealer is one more good way to get some information as well when trying to know the best alternative.