Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc. (NYSE:HY): Alfred M Rankin’s New Filing

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

Hyster-Yale
Materials Handling, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

449172204

(CUSIP Number)

Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.

5875 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 300

Cleveland, Ohio 44124-4017

(440) 449-9600

(Name,
Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

March 2017

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing
person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following
box.  ☐

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed
for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act
(however, see the Notes).

(continued on following pages)