The hoist installed at Murray Industrial Supply was built in February 1956, a few months after series production began. It is still used three or four times a day with its original control pendant.

The competition was set up by the company to celebrate the popular hoist’s 50th anniversary.

Tim Egan, a branch manager for Otto Systems in Livermore, California, won the top distributor prize.

“The fact that we were able to uncover Lodestars still being used every day that were built almost 50 years ago says a lot about the quality and durability of this product,” said David Reed, director of CM Industrial Products.

* Got an old Lodestar you love and still use? Send it in to edit@hoistmagazine.com and we’ll publish it online.