Forklift Tires
There are two kinds of tires which can be used on forklifts: standard and press on. Normally, press on tires are utilized on electric forklifts and those models operating in indoor applications such as warehouses. The press on tires may also be used in light industrial application as well.
Standard tires are mostly utilized on forklifts that operate in outdoor environment or where uneven or rough surfaces require tougher tires and more traction.
Since there are many various kinds of forklifts, there are also lots of different kinds of forklift tires. The types of tires which are most commonly used are polyurethane, pneumatic and solid. The kind of tires are dictated by what and where the forklift is utilized for. It is vital to get the correct kind of tires for the task and making sure that the proper pick would have a big impact on both safety and performance.
For outdoor forklifts that need to operate in an all-terrain atmosphere such as on a construction site, the best option will be pneumatic tires. These are constructed out of tough rubber and then filled with air, like a tractor or truck tire. Pneumatic tires create an air cushion between the terrain and the forklift itself. This particular design considerably lessens the wear and tear on the equipment and creates a very comfortable ride for the operator. The thick, deep treads on the tires provide the necessary traction needed for use on surfaces which are rough and uneven.
Solid tires are best suited for both light industrial indoor and outdoor use. They are made out of constructed solid, tough rubber. This helps them to stay safer from blowouts, popping like pneumatic tires or damage due to puncture wounds. As these tires are not filled with air, they are unable to provide the cushion effect. This fact makes them not suitable for use on rough terrain. Some solid tires are made with holes in the sidewalls to provide a rather softer ride. The only problem is that this kind of construction makes the forklift's load carrying capacity less.
Although they are designed for indoor warehouse use only, polyurethane forklift tires will normally outlast both rubber tire designs. The load capacity of polyurethane is much higher compared to a rubber tire. These tires work great with well with electric forklifts because of the added weight of the batteries of the machinery. Due to the lower rolling resistance of the tires, one more benefit of this particular kind of tire is the longer battery life.