Forklift Tires
There are two kinds of tires that could be utilized on forklifts: press on and standard. Normally, press on tires are used on electric forklifts and those models operating in indoor applications such as warehouses. The press on tires may be used also in light industrial operation too.
Standard tires are mainly used on forklifts that operate in outdoor environment or where rough or uneven surfaces need more traction and tougher tires.
There are many different types of forklift tires just as there are a lot of various kinds of forklifts. The kinds of tires which are most commonly utilized are polyurethane, pneumatic and solid. The type of tires are dictated by where and what the forklift is used for. It is essential to obtain the right tires for the task and ensuring the proper pick would have a huge impact on both performance and safety.
For outdoor forklifts which have to function in an all-terrain atmosphere like on a construction site, the best option will be pneumatic tires. These are constructed out of durable rubber and then filled with air, like a truck or tractor tire. Pneumatic tires create an air cushion between the terrain and the forklift itself. This design considerably lessens the wear and tear on the machine and creates a very comfortable ride for the operator. The thick, deep treads on the tires give the necessary traction required for use on surfaces that are uneven and rough.
Solid tires are best suited for both light industrial indoor and outdoor use. 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. Several solid tires are made with holes in the sidewalls to provide a somewhat softer ride. The only issue is that this type of construction makes the load carrying capacity of the forklift less.
Although they are intended for indoor warehouse applications only, polyurethane forklift tires will usually outlast both rubber tire designs. The load capacity of polyurethane is a lot higher than that of 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 tire's lower rolling resistance, one more benefit of this type of tire is the longer battery life.