The History of the Gas Forklift
The Clark Equipment Company made the first gas powered forklift during the early part of the 20th century. Clark has led the industry in gas-powered forklifts since that time.
Beginning
During 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, located within Buchanan, Michigan, was the manufacturer of the first Tructractor. Workers fabricated the tractor in order to make it easier to move components in the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the equipment, 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 equipment that very same year.
Duat
In the year 1923 Clark made a gas-powered tow tractor. Named the "Duat," this three-wheeled equipment later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
In nineteen twenty seven 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 have internal combustion engines could function using 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 purchase, but much more to operate because of the cost of fuel. For loads over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.