The History of the Gas Forklift
In the early part of the 20th century, the Clark Equipment company manufactured the first gas powered forklift. Clark has led the industry in gas-powered forklifts since that time.

Beginning
In the year 1917, the Clark Equipment Company, situated within Buchanan, Michigan, was the maker of the very first Tructractor. Employees fabricated the tractor to make it easier to transport parts within the plant. When visitors came to the plant and saw the machinery, 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 machinery that year.

Duat
During the year 1923 Clark manufactured a gas-powered tow tractor. Known 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 which can draw up to 5,500 kilograms. During the year 1928 the Tructier model was built. It became the foundation for a modern line of gas-powered forklifts.

Forklifts that have internal combustion engines could function using liquid propane, liquid natural gas, diesel or gasoline. 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 a lot more to operate because of the cost of fuel. For loads more than 6,800 kilograms, an internal combustion forklift is recommended.