Abstract: A manually movable lift truck having a base with a self-contained power plant therein and a column rising therefrom. The column includes a hollow post with a rotatable featureless shaft therein. A flexible chain has an outer end connected with a lift fork, and runs upwardly and then down into the interior of the post. Miter gears and a sprocket are mounted at the top of the post, and the chain runs over this sprocket. The portion of the chain between the sprocket and lift fork is the only active portion thereof, and the remaining portion remains loose and free.

Abstract: A manually movable lift truck having a base with a self-contained power plant therein and a single column rising therefrom. The column includes a single hollow post with a drive transmitting screw shaft therein and a ball carriage on the shaft. A flexible chain has an outer end connected with the lift fork, and runs upwardly and then down into the interior of the post. The chain is drivingly connected with the ball carriage.