Episode 14: 1949-50: The rise of the British machines

1949 was the year the Matbro Company changed from the reconditioning and resale of ex-War Department equipment into a company manufacturing forklift trucks. The idea came from a truck modification that the company had carried out some months previously. Moving into new premises, it was realised that the company needed something more versatile than a mobile crane to move equipment around the site. An ex-W.D. forklift was purchased, and whilst it did the job in the warehouse and yard areas it was unsuitable for use on parts of the site that had unmade ground. The answer was to take off the mast and attach it to the rear end of an agricultural tractor, thereby creating their first rough terrain/yard truck. The machine was a success from the outset, and a high proportion of manufacture went to export.

Ransomes also launched a new model with their increased capacity 'Forklift 40,' as did Conveyancer with an all diesel model. The battery-operated Ransomes could lift 40 cwt, and had twin front wheels to spread the load. The machines' width, which was dependent on the tyres used, varied from three feet ten inches for solids up to four feet seven inches when pneumatics were fitted. The Conveyancer had a lifting capacity of 5,000 lbs to 12 feet and was identified by model number XV1.

Overseas the Saxby Company in France produced its first forklift truck, which led to a contract with French Railways for the production phase. Last but not least for 1949 was the launch of the Hyster RT 100 of the 'Spacesaver series, which replaced the 'Jumbo' and the model QN 20 which replaced the model 'QT 20.'
The year 1950 started very well for British manufacturers, with no less than five new models from three companies. Lansing Bagnall produced the battery-powered model 'PF' pedestrian-operated counterbalance stacker.

Coventry Climax launched the model 'TSM' in response to market demands for a smaller and more manoeuvrable machine. With a lifting capacity of 1500lbs it had, as a power unit, the ubiquitous 'Swift' sidevalve petrol engine, as fitted to various car models throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Later in the year the model 'TSM-D' was added to the range. This machine was rated with a 1 ton lifting capacity and fitted with a powerful twin cylinder diesel engine, model type CDMQ 383.

Smaller players in the British market such as Matling produced motorised pallet trucks and stackers that were powered by single cylinder petrol engines. The models were known as 'Palatruc' and 'Palastaca' respectively, and within two years battery models were also available. As a further point of interest, the company name was made up from the first and last syllables of MATerials handLING.

During this period the 'Conveyancer' Company began to change over its model types to a new system, starting with the 'Mark XV1' diesel truck, which now became the 'D5.20/12.'

Also at home the Cleco Company of Leicester launched the first 2000 lb capacity electric straddle stacker to be built in Britain. This had the designation of model F.8.Z and incorporated special design features so that the length, width and height of the straddle arms could be adjusted to the operator's size within half an hour.

To be continued