0t--hyster forklift debacle of 1958

so i swapped a mori seiki sl-1 lathe for a 1958 hyster challenger 50H lift truck--
it last ran in 1990
the 50H series were made from 1957 to 1979
the heat engine in this unit is 162 cu in ford
lift truck weight 9000 lb

the nissan shop lift is 5500 lb rated--btw this nissan is superb in every respect

in order to load the hyster on trailer it was necessary to drop counterweight

my guestimate was truck subframe would couple rear axle/tires/steering apparatus
allowing problem free lift off of counterweight

as i removed the last of 6 ---one inch dia bolts securing counterweight--the forward frame dropped

so the nissan was employed to lift frame 4 inches for blocking

with intent to lift counterweight following frame leveling--
as the truck frame lift progressed--an audible snap followed by heavy thud and 180 degree roll
of counterweight was witnessed

analysis of construction anatomy confirmed an unbelievable design error commited by usually
dependable hyster-- the steering axle was fastened to counterweight---even more troublesome---all weight and
travel shock force was borne by 6 threaded 1 inch fasterners with no structural element--such as load shelf
or bracket incorporated into design to serve as primary load bearing feature--with threaded fastener serving as
securing element with minimal load bearing intent

i reviewed factory service manual issued 1976---hyster makes no reference to this engineering disaster--
instructions for counterweight removal on later units clearly reference steering axle attached to truck frame

pics snapped today

That really is weird, I'll give you that, but it seems like even a cursory inspection prior to the surgery would have instantly revealed how the thing was constructed and what the outcome might be upon dissection of said counterweight and main machine.

It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback, so, as they say.."I'm just saying"!

Stuart

I have a 1981 Hyster 50H with a 4 cylinder GM motor.

Going by my limited experience of Britih forklifts of the 70's when some pretty wierd things went on, and it seems the US was the same.

Post WW2 ,when stuff was impossible to find,forklifts were made with concrete counterweights,and sometimes the whole chassis of the lift was cast into concrete to give it a streamlined shape.......new owners were often surprised when a hard knock resulted in a big chunk out of the edge........Old trucks usually formed the basis of these forklifts.

hyster taildragger

hyster built tricycle lift trucks with some success in market acceptance

today i introduce the next generation--taildragger
the innovative tail support is hilman skate modified to clamp to suitable load bearing structural member--

in any event--the 50h hyster rehomes in my shop tomorrow

It looks like the tie rod end on the steering cylinder may have suffered some trauma...half of it seems to have been amputated.

Stuart