The History of the Gas Forklift
In the early part of the 20th century, the Clark Equipment company made the very first gas powered forklift. Ever since that time, Clark has led the industry in gas-powered forklifts.
Beginning
Situated in Buchanan, Michigan State, the Clark Equipment Company was the producer of the very first Tructractor during 1917. Workers fabricated the tractor to make it easier to transport parts in the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machinery, they asked Clark to build more. The next year Clark sold eight Tructractors, and the year after that Clark began the Clark Tructractor Company in Buchanan, selling 75 of the machinery that very same year.
Duat
In 1923 Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor. Named the "Duat," this three-wheeled machinery later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
A gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels and can draw up to five thousand five hundred kilograms, the Clarktor was developed in the year 1927. In the year 1928 the Tructier model was built. It became the foundation for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts which function on gasoline, diesel, liquid natural gas or liquid propane have internal combustion engines. These type of forklifts should be refueled either with gas canisters or at on-site fueling stations. Internal combustion forklifts cost less to buy, but a lot more to operate due to the cost of fuel. For loads which are over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.