The History of the Gas Forklift
In the early part of the 20th century, the Clark Equipment company manufactured the first gas powered forklift. Since that time, Clark has led the industry in gas-powered forklifts.
Beginning
In 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, located in Buchanan, Michigan State, 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 machinery, they asked Clark to manufacture 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 machinery that year.
Duat
During nineteen twenty three Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor. Named the "Duat," this three-wheeled equipment later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
A gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels and could draw up to five thousand five hundred kilograms, the Clarktor was created in the year 1927. During 1928 the Tructier model was manufactured. It became the foundation for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts which have internal combustion engines can run utilizing liquid natural gas, liquid propane, gasoline or diesel. These kind of forklifts should be refueled either with gas canisters or at on-site fueling stations. Internal combustion forklifts cost less to purchase, but more to operate because of the fuel cost. For loads that are over 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is recommended.