Multi Directional Forklift Ventura

Used Side Loader Forklift Ventura - A side loader forklift truck is made for lifting very heavy and long items within the confines the narrow aisles of a warehouse, lumber yard, loading dock or other facility. These forklifts are given their name by the way in which they load, and unload, material - from the side of the forklift rather than from the front, as with standard forklifts. Benefits of Side Loader Forklifts v Standard Forklifts Forklifts that rely on the original counterbalance system can become unstable when moving long or heavy loads. However, the side loader forklift is specially designed to handle these types of loads, such as long pipes and raw timber, providing much more stability. Having the load face the direction of travel ensures that timber and steel can be easier to maneuver. Side loaders offer a safer, unobstructed view for the operator which is a greater improvement over the standard forklift with its front-carrying design and the fork tines. Side loaders can access narrow aisles and tinier doorways with ease since loads are transported down the side of the machine instead of on the front as with a standard forklift. The load may have to be raised on regular forklifts to travel around obstacles that increase the chances of tipping over. A side loader forklift makes much of that maneuvering unnecessary. These units help warehouse locations to manage smaller spaces much more safely. Most side loaders are able to lift up to 12,000 pounds and can travel at speeds just above 5 miles per hour but are often equipped with the ability to program travel speeds. This design enables operators to match speed to a certain job. Types of Side Loader Forklifts Class 2 - Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks The Class 2 Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks are where the side loader forklifts are classified. This kind of forklift classification covers electrically sourced narrow aisle forklifts. These are popular in warehouses, covered loading docks and other facilities that use a narrow aisle configuration or require moving between narrow spaces and where long items such as laminates, carpet, bar stock, lumber and furniture are stocked. They are also suited for rack storage and feeding machine tools. Narrow aisle locations are popular in warehouses for allowing maximum storage design and efficiency. Class 2 side loader forklifts have been designed to take up less space by the forklift truck. These machines create better efficiency and speed while moving, unloading and loading narrow aisle locations. Because they are designed primarily for indoor facility use, their electrical power source also means that the harmful emissions that would accumulate from the use of an internal combustion engine are eliminated. Internal Combustion Engine Side Loader Forklifts Side loaders that are not powered by electricity obviously do not fall under the Class 2 forklift classification. The side loader design is popular for outdoor use as well in places such as timber and lumber yards, steel and pipe producers and many other similar job sites that require long, heavy loads to be transported to and from storage areas, such as racking, or stacking loads in blocks, or offloading from flatbeds. Exterior side loaders need to work outside and on uneven surfaces. This means an internal combustion engine and, sometimes, pneumatic tires are a better option for the job. Side loaders are great for these work environments as they are built to handle the length of items and the weight. Picking items up in the middle is vital for loading and unloading long materials safely and efficiently. Side Loader Forklift Design Side loader forklifts can be either sit down units or stand on machines. Stand On Side Loader Forklifts Used mostly indoors in applications such as warehouses, the stand on end control has a small platform area surrounded by the forklift’s controls, usually located in the middle of the truck, for the operator to stand. The stand on unit has many advantages. It creates a more compact machine and smaller cab design since there is no seat for the operator. This means the forklift has a smaller footprint which is an advantage when maneuvering around tight, high-traffic areas. Especially while operating in reverse, there is greater operator visibility from a standing position. Operators have a better view while standing and reversing compared to having to twist their body, back and neck to see as with a sit-down unit. Stand-up models have comfort and safety. Better operator visibility lessens injuries and product damage. Finally, the operator in a stand on forklift is able to enter and exit the cab quicker than a sit down forklift which can increase workplace efficiency in some applications. Sit Down Side Loader Forklifts Of the two basic designs, the sit down side loader forklift is the most popular. Similar to the side loader stand, the sit-down unit features a centrally located cab. The sit-down models have a raised platform and a seat that is opposite to the controls. The advantages of a sit down side loader are mostly in operator comfort. Operators can control the machine from a resting position, greatly reducing fatigue and increasing productivity. Customizable Features The side loader has customizable bed length options to be suitable for many jobs. Popular for heavy and bulky items, the standard side loader has been designed to fit heavy and bulky loads. A sixty-inch extension upwards may be utilized for special jobs. Side loaders need to consider aisle widths and guide rails prior to customization. Multidirectional abilities are one of the most popular features of these machines. Crab steering on side loaders refers to having two wheels function independently from the other wheels. This feature allows the side loader to move in all four directions by changing the direction of the wheels, allowing the forklift to move sideways into narrow storage aisles without making large, swing-out turns or multiple adjustments. The smaller turning radius helps to avoid damage to items and the building while increasing safety. It also increases efficiency by lessening the time and space needed to maneuver around the job site. Several other features on side loader forklifts are often customized based on jobsite application. Lift mast heights, lights, mirrors, lift capacities and tine length and other features are all customizable. Certain features are also adjustable, allowing for further customization of the side loader for the particular job application. Travel speed, acceleration time, load limits and breaking force can all be set allowing further job efficiency and increased workplace safety. For all of the above reason, the side loader forklift has become the most popular option for workplaces where space is limited and long loads are involved. Multi Directional Forklift PDF