In the original Transformers toy line, Hoist (Treuil in Québec, Buffalo in Italy) is an Autobot who functions as a repairman for the team, keeping them to a tight maintenance schedule. Hoist is confident and sometimes rash, brave, tough and loyal. He transforms into a green tow truck. The toy of Hoist was released in 1985 and was a remold of Trailbreaker; it included a head sensor module that could analyze different density properties, and various arm attachments: 2 missiles, two welding pieces, and an extra fist.[1]
Animated series
Hoist first appeared in episode #28, "The Master Builders". He teamed up with his friend Grapple to design a solar tower that would provide unlimited energy. However, he was denied by Optimus Prime in case the Decepticons got their hands on it. Grapple and Hoist were then approached by a surprising source — the Constructicons. They told the two Autobots they wanted to leave the Decepticons and were willing to help Grapple and Hoist build their tower to prove it. Grapple and Hoist accepted and the tower was built — just as Megatron arrived and took them prisoner. The Autobots arrived and eventually rescued the two. Prime put them to work clearing up the mess in punishment for their mistake.[2]
In the episode "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court," Warpath, Hoist and Spike were battling Starscream, Ramjet, Rumble and Ravage in England. Low on power, the Autobots and Decepticons discovered a magical stone formation called the Dragon Mound and were transported back to the year 543. Although Starscream attempted to take over a castle and build a new empire with himself as lord, the help of local knights and a wizard refueled the Autobots and they in turn who defeated the Decepticons. After defeating a dragon who nested in the Dragon Mound, the Autobots and Decepticons and returned to their own time where they rejoined the fight in modern day England.
The spotlight was shone on Hoist again in the later Season 2 episode "Hoist Goes Hollywood", where he and several other Autobots, including Tracks, Warpath, Powerglide and Sunstreaker, were recruited to star in a Hollywood movie called Attack of the Alien Robots. They would end up saving the film from the Decepticons — although the film's makers cannily used the footage of the battle in the movie itself.
Hoist last appeared in episode #64, "Masquerade". He did not appear in The Transformers: The Movie, season 3, or any of the Japanese exclusive Transformers seasons that followed.