Ever looked around and thought your warehouse team ought to be having a much easier time with the day’s work? Getting more done?

Take a look at your fleet. You’ve got one forklift waiting on a brake replacement, two more out of use for who-knows-what, and it’s turning your operation into a series of fits and starts. We think you deserve better.

CLARK forklifts will keep your operation moving. From the steer axle to the mast, durability is built into every piece of a CLARK forklift. We don’t build them like we used to – we build them better than ever.

This article talks through key areas where CLARK over engineers to deliver best-in-class durability, serviceability and uptime.

Key design decisions that build a durable forklift

At CLARK, we reject throw-away culture. Our engineers design forklifts that withstand a heavy beating and keep your materials moving. Some of the standout features include our nested I-beam mast, a heavy-duty frame and high-strength steer axle.

“Yeah, we’ve been very satisfied with the durability. We’ve got multiple lifts with over 10,000 hours on them and really no real major issues. We just do the services on them like recommended and just keep replacing small wear items and that’s really all the service we do to them. I haven’t had any, like I said, no major failures in the years that I’ve been here.”Nick Saarela, Facility Manager, Fast Global Solutions

1. Uprights with more steel to help prevent fishtailing

When you lift a load onto high shelving, the load should not whip left and right. The CLARK nested I-beam mast has a lot more steel in the upright than a standard C-channel mast. A stronger and stiffer mast helps prevent mast deflection, fishtailing or carriage twisting with side loads.

The result: best-in-class load stability.

2. Heavy-duty fully welded frames

CLARK has some of the most robust, heavy-duty, fully welded frames in the forklift market. We use a heavy-gauge steel for added strength.

Many other forklifts use thinner material to save weight and money. Additionally, many other manufacturers use a bolted-together frame. This may make assembly easier for them, but it doesn’t make the forklift work harder for you.

“The fender thickness, the chassis thickness in the steel is thicker than your traditional competitor’s forklift. So, the way it’s built is still very much CLARK of old, the industrial forklift, and not necessarily this cheap automotive forklift that’s built to replace.”Robert Bond, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Tri-Lift Industries NC, Inc.

CLARK believes in building forklifts that hold up to your job, and we test our equipment to be sure it does. Our testing includes a million overload cycles to ensure our forklifts can withstand extreme conditions without cracks, deformation, or breakage.

3. Steer axles built to take a beating

Forklift drivers can be hard on the steer axle, running through potholes with tremendous loads.

CLARK uses high-strength steel and tapered roller bearings for our steer axle. This design helps the steer axle withstand both thrust and torsion loads better than axles with ball or needle bearings. They’ll withstand a beating, like they should.

In addition, some forklifts have a far more complicated steer axle assembly. The CLARK Dampening Block Stability (DBS) is a more simple, straightforward design. Dampening blocks mounted to the drive axle absorb shocks, vibrations, and oscillations. Way down the road, if your forklift ever needs service on the steer axle, the CLARK steer axle’s simple DBS design makes it a snap to service.

Built to get back on the job, fast

When a forklift is easy to service, it saves on repair costs and reduces downtime. CLARK engineers design forklifts with serviceability in mind.

We train our design engineers to service our forklifts and hold regular design reviews with service teams to confirm design for serviceability. Our easy-service features include negative drop rails, easy access panels, and readily available parts and components.

1. Uprights with negative drop rails for easy roller replacement

Rollers are a component that can be damaged by impact. CLARK forklifts have negative drop rails that allow for easy roller replacement. Negative drop rails create a clearance or “drop” when the roller is being replaced. Technicians will not have to disassemble other parts of the truck to replace the rollers. Service teams jack the truck up, lower the railings, and replace the rollers. Easy peasy.

2. Easy access panels so technicians can quickly perform routine checks and repairs

CLARK forklifts are designed to be used and maintained. Easy access panels are designed into all of our trucks for quick access to critical components like the brakes, engine, transmission and steer axle.

Where possible, the CLARK forklift is designed so that technicians can perform maintenance without needing to dismantle large parts of the forklift. For example, service technicians can perform brake maintenance without removing the axle, saving time and labor costs.

3. Easy to source parts so you can find what you need

We are proud of our highly responsive CLARK OEM Parts department. Our team delivers fast service. Centrally located in Louisville, Kentucky, we take orders every weekday until 8:00 PM Eastern Time for next-day delivery to US dealers or to your location. We provide same-day or next-day delivery for hundreds of thousands of parts, regardless of where you are in the country. High-quality components and parts availability—even for very old models—help to ensure your trucks remain operational.

“Our parts department loves working with the CLARK parts team. They feel like they get accurate, timely answers they can count on.”Jake Schubert, Used Equipment Manager, Forklifts of Minnesota

With parts availability, a great dealer network, and error codes in plain language, CLARK forklifts are built for easy service.

More uptime, more money

You didn’t buy a forklift so that it could sit at the service shop. You expect it to work. We design our forklifts for low cost of ownership. Some of the features engineered to provide you with industry leading uptime include adaptability to harsh environments, comfortable operation and extended service intervals.

1. Adaptability to Harsh Environments

CLARK offers indoor/outdoor trucks that use components proven in demanding industrial applications. Features like sealed components and solid pneumatic tires ensure durability and performance in a variety of environments.

“I’m more than confident putting the CLARK product in recycling operations, foundries, garbage, trash, brick, block, lumber, because I know that CLARK is built to handle that. . . So, as we’re looking at putting this equipment into dusty, dirty or abusive applications, it holds up very well.”Robert Bond, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Tri-Lift Industries NC, Inc.

2. The stuff your drivers care about

Operator comfort and safety contribute to uptime. We want our forklift operators to be able to drive for hours and still be comfortable and alert. New CLARK forklifts come standard with:

• Full suspension seats that absorb shocks from bumps and cracks, reducing operator fatigue
• Ergonomically positioned controls to reduce muscle strain
• Smaller steering wheel and optional spinner knobs for compact turning and one-hand operation
• Ergonomic tuning exercises where users are invited to review, test, and provide input on our prototypes

Learn more about our safety program, accessories, and training here.

3. Extended Service Intervals

CLARK coordinates with the engine supplier to select a full-synthetic oil that will provide a long life. Additionally, CLARK trucks like the S-Series are available with force-cooled wet disc brakes. The brakes are set in an oil bath and cooled with constantly circulating oil. This provides smooth, consistent braking with less pedal effort over the life of the brakes. It also extends their service life. Learn more about CLARK forklift’s planned maintenance program or contact a dealer near you for more info.

Keep moving with rugged forklifts that are simple to service

Choosing CLARK forklifts means investing in a product designed for durability, serviceability, and maximum uptime. With robust construction, ease of maintenance, and operator-friendly features, CLARK forklifts are engineered to withstand the most demanding applications.

Find a CLARK dealer

Drive with confidence. Get a CLARK forklift.

Contact your CLARK dealer and find out how we can help your warehouse operations run smoothly.

“They’re a good company. They’re getting us good lifts that last.” Nick Saarela, Facility Manager, Fast Global Solutions“Hey, they’ve been around in this industry for 100-plus years. They know what they’re doing.” Jake Schubert, Used Equipment Manager, Forklifts of Minnesota“CLARK is a quality product. No question about it.” J. Bane, The Lilly Company.