The History of the Gas Forklift
During the early 20th century, the Clark Equipment company manufactured the very first gas powered forklift. Since that time, Clark has led the business in gas-powered forklifts.

Beginning
Located in Buchanan, Michigan State, the Clark Equipment Company was the manufacturer of the very first Tructractor in 1917. Workers made the tractor to make it easier to transport components within the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the equipment, they asked Clark to make more. The next year Clark sold eight Tructractors, and the year after that Clark started the Clark Tructractor Company in Buchanan, selling 75 of the machines that year.

Duat
During nineteen twenty three Clark made a gas-powered tow tractor. Known as the "Duat," this three-wheeled machine later developed into the modern gas-powered forklift.

Improved Models
During the year 1927 the Clarktor was developed, a gas-powered tow tractor with four wheels that can 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 which run on gasoline, diesel, liquid propane or liquid natural gas 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 much less to purchase, but more to operate because of the cost of fuel. For loads more than 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is suggested.