Finally a Forklift

A 15000lb capacity forklift showed up close to the house so I decided it would be good to have around. It is a Hyster RC-150 15000lb rated machine. Powered by a 320cid Flathead Hercules. It needs some love but appears in pretty good condition for a machine that is likely 50years old.

[@phillipyannone3195]

She's a real beauty, looks like it's had an easy life. I'm sure you will have it running like a Swiss watch.

[@rjkejk57]

What a structure, and built with steel that hasn't rusted, I don't know if it's the climate in Kentucky but in the east our brides are rusted to the point where they need significant maintenance. Thanks for showing something that I couldn't never gat to see in my lifetime, too old to visit. Greatly appreciated, as always good luck in your future endeavors.

[@houseofbrokendobbsthings5537]

Great add. If the Dodge won't start you can roll on up to town on the fork truck for a loaf of bread. Or, pull on up to the Dodge and lift either end. Dragging a floor jack on gravel is a pain.

[@CapeCodCNC]

Gotta love those old Hyster stick shifts. BT6 with a stack! Rollin coal and movin iron.....now your talkin

[@dennisleadbetter7721]

Hi Brian, It may be old, but it will still be going in another 50 years.

[@SteveSummers]

Score! Man that thing is going to come in handy! You'll have that thing up and running good in a week. I would say you are correct, bet it's never had a valve adjustment. Stuff like that never gets done by the operators. As long as she moves they will use it.

[@ibjeterhere]

Drove one of those back in the day, great machine especially with the high boom, if you look around you might be able to find longer forks which really come in handy at times, the best thing is the high sitting area & great visibility all around, should make putting up that high paneling pretty easy, just remember to work safe at all times and keep an eye out for all helpers ....

[@alanrogs3990]

I used to drive one of these at work back in the 80's and early 90's. It was a beat up old beast but started every time.

[@jamesconner8275]

That is an excellent addition. From what I can see it is in excellent condition for being 50 years old. Yeah, put grease in all the fittings, pull some new wire, service the motor and bolt on a replacement metal brace and Bob's your uncle. I would also replace all the filters and oil.

[@frankdeegan8974]

That is brand spanking new compared to the old beat up junk I have had the pleasure to operate over the years

[@davidfraser4830]

Wow Brian you are certainly a getting kind of guy. This will really help you with everything that lies ahead. Nice score

[@skeeter50001]

Hi Brian, I know you get lots of advise on working on your equipment. I thought

[@darrylmay4510]

Brian is right about working in an industrial setting. I worked one place where they didn't care if I had to spend an hour adjusting a machine each time they turned on a particular machine, just as long as I didn't spend any money to fix it properly. I bought a $50 tube of pneumatic grease to lube the various pneumatic machines they had and they were not happy. I was spending far more of my time repacking and replacing pneumatic seals each and every week than the tube of pneumatic grease was worth.

[@johndunbar2393]

This thing will pay for itself in no time! I have a 60's vintage, Case 580 CK forklift that I bought dirt cheap and have found dozens of uses for it. I wish mine was as big of a capacity as yours.......hell even half. Lol! Nice acquisition, especially for those of us who don't have a ton of helpers around. It's interesting how the cab moves with the mast. Pretty cool idea really.

[@MrVailtown]

40 years ago drove one like that 10 hrs day year in year out rain snow, you name it, & your machine looks like a dream compared to that one. Loaded 18 1/2 foot packs thru a 19 ft door way , last two pack you doubled stacked and you had 4" of lift to spare to set them on top. You had to hustle , Boss didn't want them kiln doors open any more time than necessary .

[@JBFromOZ]

That’s awesome with off-road capacity, truck tyres and all that, looks in great shape for its age!

[@RockingJOffroad]

This just reminds me, I need to get my forklift moved. I have it stored at a friends shop. If you keep the gasoline engine I’d recommend converting it to propane. Then you don’t have to worry about fuel going bad before you use the whole tank. These types of machines have a fairly large fuel tank so they could be run all day on a tank of fuel. But in my case I had a gasoline engine and my occasional use, the fuel would go bad or I’d only put a couple gallons in the tank and it would run out of fuel at the most inopportune times! I finally purchased the one I own now that is propane powered!

[@BundyBearsShed]

Boy she is a big old girl, you will find it very handy, Im always on my 2.5ton Komatsu. Pallet racking is the go.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I got drafted into help load one just like that on a ramp trailer that was sold from an old talc mine in 01. It ran like a Swiss watch, flathead and all but had some kind of an oil clutch with a belt drive pump that wasn't hooked up and maybe some gauges for it. A guy was putting up a machine shop and snagged it just for the same purpose as you. I was trying to help shove it on the trailer with a trackhoe about half the size of the lift. We dood it though. Fine old machine and it'll work for you one way or another!

[@johnfry9010]

There is no replacment for a Forklift , good score !