The History of the Gas Forklift
The Clark Equipment Company made the very first gas powered forklift in the early 20th century. Clark has led the industry in gas-powered forklifts ever since that time.
Beginning
Located in Buchanan, Michigan State, the Clark Equipment Company was the maker 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 machines that same year.
Duat
Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor in 1923. Named the "Duat," this three-wheeled machinery 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 can draw up to 5,500 kilograms. In the year 1928 the Tructier model was manufactured. It became the foundation for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts which have internal combustion engines can function utilizing liquid propane, liquid natural gas, gasoline or diesel. These kind of forklifts must 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 because of the fuel cost. For loads over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.