Forklift Tires
There are two kinds of tires that can be utilized on forklifts: standard and press on. Typically, press on tires are utilized on electric forklifts and those types of forklifts operating in indoor applications such as warehouses. The press on tires may also be utilized in light industrial operation too.
Standard tires are generally used on forklifts that operate in outdoor settings or where uneven or rough surfaces require more traction and tougher tires.
There are many various types of forklift tires just as there are many various kinds of forklifts. The most frequently utilized tires are solid, polyurethane and pneumatic. The kind of tires are dictated by where and what the forklift is utilized for. It is really essential to acquire the right tires for the task and making certain that the correct choice would have a big effect on both performance and safety.
For outdoor forklifts that need to operate in an all-terrain environment like on a construction site, the best option will be pneumatic tires. These are made of durable rubber and then filled with air, similar to a tractor or truck tire. Pneumatic tires create an air cushion between the forklift and the terrain. This design significantly lessens the wear and tear on the machine and creates a very comfortable ride for the operator. The tire's thick, deep treads give the necessary traction required for use on uneven and rough surfaces.
Solid tires are best suited for both light industrial indoor and outdoor applications. They are fabricated out of tough, constructed solid rubber. This helps them to stay safer from blowouts, popping like pneumatic tires or damage because of puncture wounds. Since 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 constructed with holes in the sidewalls to provide a somewhat softer ride. The only problem is that this kind of construction makes the load carrying capacity of the forklift less.
Though they are designed for indoor warehouse use only, polyurethane forklift tires would 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 due to the additional weight of the batteries of the machine. Because of the less rolling resistance of the tires, one more advantage of this particular kind of tire is the longer battery life.