The History of the Gas Forklift
During the early 20th century, the Clark Equipment company made the first gas powered forklift. Clark has led the industry in gas-powered forklifts since that time.
Beginning
During the year 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, located within Buchanan, Michigan State, was the manufacturer of the very first Tructractor. Workers made the tractor in order to make it easier to move components within the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machinery, they asked Clark to build 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 equipment that year.
Duat
During nineteen twenty three Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor. Called the "Duat," this three-wheeled machine later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
During the year 1927 the Clarktor was created, a gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels which could draw up to 5,500 kilograms. In 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 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 much more to operate due to the fuel cost. For loads that are over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.