The History of The Fork Lift Truck
Episode 22: 1954/55
Last to mention, but not the last of the forklift truck companies to exhibit at the British Industries Fair in 1954, were Yale and Towne. They presented the first in the series of their new electric range of pedestrian pallet trucks ('Worksaver') and a new ride-on straddle stacker ('Warehouser.') The pedestrian-operated 'Worksaver' machines included a counterbalance stacker and the high and low lift 'Super Stubby' pallet trucks. In this same year the company separated its materials handling business from its locks and hardware business into two distinct divisions. This was made necessary due to the increased development of both battery and IC engine powered equipment.
 Not at the show, but launching their first reach truck in 1955, was the American company Raymond. This company produced a hydraulic pallet truck in the 1930s, and in 1947 applied to the America patent office for a patent covering the 'narrow aisle' concept. This was granted in 1951 and the first narrow aisle machine, model 700, was built under their now new name of the Raymond Corporation.
At this time Hyster introduced the RT-120 (12,000 lb lift capacity) to its range of larger machines. As with the other forklifts in this range the company used a 6-cylinder International Harvester gasoline engine. At this point they also introduced a new and simplified torque converter drive for the models UC 30 and YC 40 (3,000lb and 4,000lb lift capacity machines), which they named the 'Hystamatic' drive. In addition to these machines, a new 20,000lb capacity truck, the model TC 200, was produced for the Challenger series and the HC 50 5,000lb lift capacity machine for the Spacesaver series. Engine options for the TC 200 were a 6-cylinder Hercules and a V-8 Chrysler, both gasoline powered, and a 6-cylinder diesel option supplied by Perkins. The HC 50's engine options were the 4-cylinder Waukesha gasoline engine and a diesel version of the Perkins P-3.
A new compact model FL 2000 from Ransomes was shown for the first time in May 1955, featuring many improvements over the FL 20. The main differences include the fitting of a larger battery, easier steering without front load and an improved method of fitting the mast making it easier to replace for specification changes.
Two other British manufacturers who launched new trucks about this time were the now well-established Lansing Bagnall and the relatively unheard of Harborough Construction Company Ltd of Market Harborough.
Lansing Bagnall added a small battery powered counterbalance truck to their already rapidly expanding range. The new truck, called the 'FOER 3', had a three-wheeled configuration and a lifting capacity of 2,300lbs. Later versions were produced with a lift capacity of 3,000lbs.
The Company from Market Harborough produced the Harbilt counterbalance stacker, powered by two 12V batteries, one on each side of the truck. These were wired in series, giving 24V in total. The machine was also fitted with an unconventional tubular section mast rated to lift up to 1,120lbs.
In Eastern Europe there were now signs of movement with the formation of the Balkancar Company in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Their trucks were sold under different names in various countries: Technocar in France, Irioncar in Germany and Je Lau in Denmark.
To be continued
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For further information about this company's activities in the warehouse and logistics industry please contact:
James Brindley
07801 954 167 |
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