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 business in gas-powered forklifts since that time.
Beginning
In the year 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, situated in Buchanan, Michigan State, was the producer of the very first Tructractor. Workers fabricated the tractor to make it easier to transport parts within the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machine, 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 seventy five of the machines that year.
Duat
During 1923 Clark made a gas-powered tow tractor. Called the "Duat," this three-wheeled machine later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
In nineteen twenty seven 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 built. It became the foundation for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts which function on diesel, gasoline, liquid natural gas or liquid propane 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 a lot less to purchase, but much more to operate due to the cost of fuel. For loads over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.