The History of the Gas Forklift
In the early 20th century, the Clark Equipment company manufactured the very first gas powered forklift. Clark has led the business in gas-powered forklifts ever since that time.
Beginning
In 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, situated within Buchanan, Michigan State, was the producer of the first Tructractor. Workers fabricated the tractor in order to make it easier to transport components in the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machine, they asked Clark to make more. The following year Clark sold eight Tructractors, and the year after that Clark began the Clark Tructractor Company in Buchanan, selling 75 of the machinery that same year.
Duat
In the year 1923 Clark made a gas-powered tow tractor. Named the "Duat," this three-wheeled machine later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
In the year 1927 the Clarktor was developed, a gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels that could draw up to 5,500 kilograms. In 1928 the Tructier model was manufactured. It became the basis for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts which run on diesel, gasoline, liquid natural gas or liquid propane have internal combustion engines. These kind of forklifts need to be refueled either at on-site fueling stations or with gas canisters. Internal combustion forklifts cost a lot less to buy, but more to operate due to the cost of fuel. For loads more than 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is recommended.