Forklift Tires
There are two types of tires which can be utilized on forklifts: standard and press on. Typically, press on tires are used on electric forklifts and those types of forklifts operating in indoor applications such as warehouses. The press on tires may be used also in light industrial application too.
Standard tires are generally used on forklifts which operate in outdoor settings or where uneven or rough surfaces require tougher tires and more traction.
Since there are lots of various kinds of forklifts, there are also lots of different kinds of forklift tires. The most frequently used tires are pneumatic, solid and polyurethane. The kind of tires are dictated by what and where the forklift is used for. It is crucial to get the right type of tires for the job and making sure that the correct choice would have a huge impact on both safety and performance.
It is better to use pneumatic tires on outdoor forklifts which function in an all-terrain environment like on construction sites. These are made of durable 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 design considerably lessens the wear and tear on the equipment and creates a really comfortable ride for the operator. The tire's deep, thick treads give the necessary traction required for use on rough and uneven surfaces.
For light industrial applications, both indoors and outdoors, solid tires are suitable. They are made out of tough, constructed solid rubber. This helps them to stay safer from blowouts, popping like pneumatic tires or damage due to puncture wounds. Since these tires are not filled with air, they can not provide the cushion effect. This fact makes them unsuitable for use on rough terrain. Several solid tires are constructed with holes in the sidewalls to provide a somewhat softer ride. The only problem is that this type of construction makes the forklift's load carrying capacity less.
The polyurethane forklift tires would normally outlast both of the rubber tire designs but are intended for indoor warehouse applications only. 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 additional weight of the batteries of the machinery. Due to the lower rolling resistance of the tires, one more benefit of this particular type of tire is the longer battery life.