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The History of The Fork Lift Truck
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During 1943, Hyster put the first of its smaller forklift trucks into production. The model "QT20," also known as the Hyster 20, was capable of lifting 2,000lbs at 15inch load centres. The wheelbase was only 45 inches and was a three-wheeled configuration on pneumatic tyres. Later that year the model "YT40," AKA the Hyster 40, was launched. The machine's main features were a 4,000lb lifting capacity, overhead driver protection and a four-cylinder "V" type petrol engine. One year on, the company's name was officially changed from Willamette-Hyster to the Hyster Company.
 On the home front, during the war a large proportion of most British engineering companies' production time was taken up in manufacturing armaments. This also applied to original manufacturers of materials handling equipment such as Ransomes Sims and Jefferies and the newly formed Lansing Bagnall Company. Although Ransomes did make a small quantity of lift trucks, the main thrust for both companies was in ministry work making aircraft parts.
One British company that was an exception to this and was given permission to carry on with normal production was the Electricar Company of Birmingham. This special treatment was in response to a large order for electric platform trucks that were required for work in the Russian armament factories. Full time women regulars at the factory carried out the majority of the work, assisted by part time women volunteers. The photograph shows part of the consignment lined up before delivery at the factory in Birmingham during 1943.
The importance of part time work was recognised by the government as vital during the next few years, and to emphasise the point they made part time working compulsory for all women aged between 18 and 45 years.
Another company of note that was not yet in the field of materials handling, but whose position was soon to be claimed, was Coventry Climax Engines. Throughout the war period many units of the armed services required portable generators to supply them with power for anti-aircraft batteries and radar facilities.
To accommodate this the company increased its production of an engine originally made for the first Ferguson tractors. Known as the type "E," this engine was found to be ideal for generator use and was built in large numbers to meet the demand. Also produced at this time were extra units required for fire pumps, and a variety of different sized engines were built for this task. Amongst these were the first of the Coventry Climax diesel engines that were later destined to bring the company even greater success.
Late in 1945, as peace settled on the world, Lansing Bagnall launched the first post war piece of British materials handling equipment. Designed and tested during the time of restrained production, the company produced a tractor to replace the ageing design of the "Imp." The new model ÒAÓ tractor showed a vast improvement in looks and performance over its predecessor.
This was also the time for new designs in Japan, as the Komatsu Forklift Company produced its first counterbalance forklift truck. Although the first for some time to be designed and manufactured outside America and Britain, it was quite a few years before the company's trucks were to be exported to the worldwide market.
To be continued
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