The History of the Gas Forklift
During the early part of the 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
Situated in Buchanan, Michigan State, the Clark Equipment Company was the manufacturer of the very first Tructractor during the year 1917. Employees made the tractor to make it easier to transport components in the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machine, they asked Clark to make more. The next year Clark sold eight Tructractors, and the year after that Clark started the Clark Tructractor Company within Buchanan, selling seventy five of the machines that same year.
Duat
During the year 1923 Clark made a gas-powered tow tractor. Called 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 the year 1928 the Tructier model was built. 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 a lot 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.