Balcrank began in 1906 in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio's "Machine Tool Colony" as the Cincinnati Ball Crank Company. The first products produced by Balcrank were handwheels and cranks used by the machine tool industry. That same year Balcrank became the first mass producer of starting cranks for automobiles. In 1908 Balcrank entered the automotive industry with the manufacturing of steering drag links. The steering drag links were an immediate hit. Almost every car manufacturer adopted these Balcrank drag links and for the first time, steering a car became an easy task, instead of a laborious chore.

To follow its drag links were ball-sockets for spark and throttle control. Next was the famous Balcrank "bumpers."  From that time on, Balcrank's place in the automotive picture was set.

Always looking forward; in 1922 Balcrank entered the lubrication field. The company secured both the patents and services of Clyde Butler, one of the nation's leading lubrication engineers. His inventions made Balcrank a pioneer in the field. He left behind scores of inventions which the world has adopted and still use today.

During World War II, Balcrank was one of the very first to offer its plant services and facilities for government use, at the end of the war, Balcrank had an "E" flag with four stars, which was indeed an honor. People always referred to the company as Ball Crank, so in 1943 the Board of Directors voted to change the name of the company to Balcrank, Inc.

Balcrank is one of the oldest manufacturers of automotive products. Many of the methods and devices used in lubrication service today stem from the basic patents of Balcrank and its engineers.

Balcrank now resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Weaverville, NC, and continues its rich history, and is still at the heart of the American automotive industry. Since its beginning, we have been providing our customers with the best products for the ever changing automotive and industrial markets that exist today. Balcrank and its employees want to thank you for the business of today, and looking forward to serving you tomorrow.

1906 The Cincinnati Ball Crank Company is formed.

1906 Company produces handwheels and cranks for machine tools.

1906 Company becomes the first mass producer of starting cranks for automobiles.
1920 Company manufacture double tubular bumpers for automobiles.
1922 Company enters the lubrication equipment field.
1923 Patents on grease couplers and fittings received.
1924 Developed the first air operated high pressure volume grease gun.
1926 Developed first air powered grease pump.
1930 Developed first enclosed hose reels.
1932 Company acquires Brookins product line.
1943 Company changes name to Balcrank.
1948 Original Jet Power air operated pump introduced.
1958 Introduced "deluxe" cabinet hose reel line.
1960 Developed and introduced world's first high pressure coolant system.
1965 Patents on Jet Pulser high pressure coolant system.
1968 Introduced the original Director inventory control system.
1987 Introduced the Director Jr. simplified inventory control system.
1994 Introduced the DataFlo electronic digital control handle.
1996 Introduced the Roughneck self evacuating drain.
1998 Cutting Edge high pressure coolant segment formed.
1998 Variable speed Cutting Edge high pressure coolant systems developed.
1999 Patents on Roughneck design.
1999 Introduced Panther 3:1 and 5:1 air operated pumps.
2002 Introduced Panther 50:1 grease pumps.
2003 Introduced Tiger 5:1 pump
2004 Introduced mobile cart based 55-gallon drum pump outfits
2005 Introduced custom color program for hose reels
2005 Introduced Lion 5:1, 10:1 and 50:1 pumps
2005 Introduced grease inductor pump systems for Lion and Panther grease pumps
2005 Introduced air operated oil evacuation system
2006 Introduced pumping systems for bulk grease dispensing
2006 Introduced Pump Sentinel pump shutoff control system
2006 Introduced Spectrum 1000 Fluid Inventory Control System with simultaneous dispensing capability
2007 Implemented structural improvements to Premium Reels
2007 Introduced electrically operated e-vac oil evacuation system
2007 Introduced fusion Wireless Fluid Inventory Control Systems
2007 Introduced complete tank packages for oil and transmission fluid
2008 Introduced new generation of truck drain
2008 Introduced a full range of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) dispensing systems