The History of the Gas Forklift
The Clark Equipment Company made the very first gas powered forklift in the early part of the 20th century. Clark has led the business in gas-powered forklifts since that time.
Beginning
During the year 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, situated in Buchanan, Michigan State, was the manufacturer of the first Tructractor. Workers fabricated the tractor in order to make it easier to transport parts within 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 in Buchanan, selling seventy five of the machinery that same year.
Duat
During 1923 Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor. Referred to as the "Duat," this three-wheeled equipment later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
In the year 1927 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 basis for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.
Forklifts that have internal combustion engines can run utilizing liquid propane, liquid natural gas, gasoline or diesel. These kind of forklifts need to be refueled either with gas canisters or at on-site fueling stations. Internal combustion forklifts cost less to buy, but a lot more to operate because of the fuel cost. For loads which are more than 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is recommended.