The History of the Gas Forklift
In the early 20th century, the Clark Equipment company made the very first gas powered forklift. Clark has led the business in gas-powered forklifts ever since that time.
Beginning
In 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, located within Buchanan, Michigan State, was the producer of the very first Tructractor. Workers fabricated the tractor so as 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 following year Clark sold eight Tructractors, and the year after that Clark began the Clark Tructractor Company in Buchanan, selling 75 of the machines that very same year.
Duat
During 1923 Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor. Named the "Duat," this three-wheeled machinery 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 that could 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 run on gasoline, diesel, liquid propane or liquid natural gas have internal combustion engines. These kind of forklifts need to be refueled either with gas canisters or at on-site fueling stations. Internal combustion forklifts cost much less to purchase, but much more to operate because of the cost of fuel. For loads which are over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is recommended.