This Yale model K41-4M forklift was built in 1945 and remains operational. Norm Einsig handles shipping and receiving for owner JA Cunningham Equipment Inc.

JA Cunningham Equipment Inc in York owns the oldest known operational forklift in the US. The Yale model K41-4M forklift was manufactured in1945.

"My father purchased the forklift used in 1966," says Paul Cunningham, president. "When I took over the family business, there was never a need to replace the truck. It has always been as durable as the other Yale models we have."

The K41-4M has the capacity to lift approximately 3,000 lbs. (1,800 kg) and has carried skids of welding wires and other equipment. The forklift has never required extensive repairs.

"The fact that this lift truck has been around so long attests not only to the history and quality of Yale lift trucks, but also to the quality of our dealer service," says Bill Pfleger, president of Yale Distribution in Greenville, North Carolina.

Maple Shade, New Jersey-based Eastern Lift Truck Co services JA Cunningham's Yale forklifts.

"I first learned of this forklift when I joined our dealership back in 1986 and remember this truck quite well," says Mike Edmonds, the dealership's marketing manager. "We used to joke about our road technicians not being 'real' mechanics until they serviced this forklift: locating and lubing all 75 high-pressure grease fittings."

For most functions, JA Cunningham has retired the K41-4M in lieu of another Yale forklift.

JA Cunningham Equipment was established in 1945 and now specialises in distributing welding equipment and welding supply. A sister enterprise, WeldSale Inc in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sells welding platens, welding tables, acorn-style tables and tooling.

The previously oldest known Yale forklift in operation is at machining job shop Kliegel Machine Co in Big Flats, New York and was manufactured in 1953.

Yale is part of Nacco Materials Handling Group Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc.

Forkliftaction.com News will archive an image and details of the unit on the Yale Oldest Lifttruck Competition page in its Forklift Museum photo gallery.