Hyster History Part One NewZeland.pdf

The first actual forklift truck was built by Hyster in 1935, based on a reversed tractorchassis, and the range was broadened again with the first “Karry Krane”, a uniquelookingvehicle that enjoyed much popularity with the American war machine duringWorld War II.By 1945, Hyster had set up an overseas export department, and one of the firstmarkets they secured was in New Zealand, with Gough Gough & Hamer.During 1945, Goughs had access to only six models, starting with the QT20 1 tonner,the YT40 2 tonner, the VT75, RT150, the M2 Straddle Truck and the KC Karry Krane.Records of the time areincomplete, but theearliest recorded salewas of a 1946 Hyster M2Straddle Truck – toAuckland-based woodproductsand plywoodcompany Henderson &Pollard. This truck ispictured here, with thephoto taken some timeafter delivery. Thispicture appeared in theNovember 1947 editionof “N.Z National Review”magazine.Henderson & Pollard ordered at least four more Hyster Straddles, and Goughsimported the last one in 1959, an M300E. We know that Henderson & Pollard werestill using the Hyster straddle trucks in the late 70’s, but by the mid 80’s, the last ofthem had gone. None are known to have survived (but if you know of any, pleasecontact the writer).The other popular truck of the day was the YT40. These forklifts could lift almost2000kg and were great general purpose trucks. Most of the Gough branches aroundthe country had aYT40 as the“workshop hack”.This survivingpicture shows the1954 Christmasparty at Gough’sAuckland branch inStanley Street.Father Christmasarrives at the partybeing carried on aYT40 “Sleigh”.