The History of the Gas Forklift
The Clark Equipment Company manufactured the first gas powered forklift in the early part of the 20th century. Clark has led the business in gas-powered forklifts ever since that time.
Beginning
Located in Buchanan, Michigan, the Clark Equipment Company was the producer of the first Tructractor in the year 1917. Employees fabricated the tractor to make it easier to move components in the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machinery, they asked Clark to manufacture more. The following year Clark sold eight Tructractors, and the year after that Clark began the Clark Tructractor Company within Buchanan, selling seventy five of the machinery that year.
Duat
Clark made a gas-powered tow tractor during the year 1923. Called the "Duat," this three-wheeled machine later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
In the year 1927 the Clarktor was created, a gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels that could draw up to 5,500 kilograms. During 1928 the Tructier model was manufactured. It became the basis for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts that function on gasoline, diesel, liquid propane or liquid natural gas have internal combustion engines. These kind of forklifts must be refueled either with gas canisters or at on-site fueling stations. Internal combustion forklifts cost less to purchase, but a lot more to operate because of the cost of fuel. For loads more than 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.