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The History of the Gas Forklift

The first version of a gas engine-powered forklift was produced by the Clark Equipment Company in the early part of the 20th century. Clark would later become a major manufacturer of gas-powered forklifts.

Beginning
- Employees of the Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan, Michigan invented the Trucktractor in 1917. The Trucktractor was used to transport parts to different areas of the plant. Some visitors to the Clark plant liked the trucktractor and asked Clark to build them one.
Tructractors
- Clark sold eight Trucktractors in 1918. In 1919, Clark started the Clark Tructractor Company in Buchanan, Michigan. Clark sold more than 75 Trucktractors in 1919.
Duat
- Clark manufactured a three-wheel gas-powered tow tractor called the Duat in 1923. The Duat was used as the basis for the first modern-style gas-powered forklift.
Improved Models
- Clark developed a four-wheel gas-powered tow tractor called the Clarktor in 1927. The Clarktor had a draw pull capacity of up to 12,000 lbs. The Tructier model was built in 1928. The Tructier was the foundation upon which Clark developed its modern line of gas-powered forklifts.

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