The History of the Gas Forklift
During the early part of the 20th century, the Clark Equipment company manufactured the first gas powered forklift. Clark has led the business in gas-powered forklifts since that time.
Beginning
Located within Buchanan, Michigan, the Clark Equipment Company was the producer of the first Tructractor in the year 1917. Workers fabricated the tractor so as to make it easier to transport parts 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 started the Clark Tructractor Company within Buchanan, selling 75 of the machines that year.
Duat
During 1923 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 nineteen twenty seven the Clarktor was created, a gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels which could draw up to 5,500 kilograms. During 1928 the Tructier model was manufactured. 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 should 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 because of the cost of fuel. For loads more than 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is recommended.