Founded in 1934, Hyster began as a manufacturer of lifting machines for the logging industry in the United States’ Pacific Northwest. Today, the Hyster lineup includes most kinds of lift trucks, including cushion and pneumatic-tyre forklifts and more.
Read More (About Hyster)Hyster has been making forklifts since 1934, when the company specialised in making lifting machines for the logging industry in the United States’ Pacific Northwest. In fact, the company says it took its name from the loggers’ call for a log to be lifted: “Hoist ’er!” The company’s product lineup has grown considerably since that time; today, Hyster is one of the leading names in lifting equipment for a wide variety of industries.
Early lifts the company created included a forked straddle carrier in 1934 and a cable-hoist forklift truck called the BT in 1935. In 1942, however, Hyster debuted a model with a telescopic mast and pneumatic tyres, traits still common in forklifts today. The big lift truck, which could lift up to 6.8 tonnes (7.5 U.S. tons), was dubbed “Jumbo.”
Hyster opened a new factory in Danville, Illinois, in 1946 that focused solely on constructing lift trucks. The manufacturer expanded overseas in 1952 with its first international plant in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Later, in 1959, Hyster’s “Big Trucks” represented the firm’s entry into the container handler market.
More recent highlights include the modular Fortis and Fortens IC (internal combustion) product lines in 2005, the quad-masted VNA (very narrow aisle) truck in 2006, and Electric Counterbalance forks in 2008.
Today, the company known as the Hyster-Yale Group operates 12 manufacturing facilities around the world, including in Europe, South America, and the Pacific Rim. It has established a presence in more than 130 countries.
The current Hyster lineup of forklifts includes most kinds of lift trucks and covers a broad swath of industry applications. Its units are powered by IC engines running on diesel or LPG, as well as by electric power. The latter forks come in three- and four-wheel variants.
Hyster forklifts are available with cushion and pneumatic tyres, as well as in rough-terrain configurations. Its High Capacity 1050HD/S model can lift more than 47 t (52 U.S. t).
The company also makes ReachStacker telehandlers, along with empty and laden mast container handlers and reach stacker container handlers. Elsewhere in its wide product portfolio are Hyster pallet trucks, reach trucks, tow tractors, pedestrian stackers, order pickers, personnel lifts, and more.
Hyster has made great strides in zero-emissions product development, including lithium-ion battery options for its electric lifts and a seaport telehandler powered by a battery recharged by a hydrogen fuel cell. The company has signaled its intention to move the industry toward a lower carbon footprint.
Explore LiftsToday.co.uk to find great deals on new and used Hyster equipment for sale. Popular models on the used market include the Hyster S50, S80, S120, and S155 cushion tyre forklifts as well as H50, H60, H80, and H155 pneumatic-tyre lift trucks.