Forklift Tires
When it comes to types of installation, there are two types regarding forklift tires: press on and standard. Typically, press on tires are utilized on electric forklifts and those models operating in indoor applications like warehouses. The press on tires could also be utilized in light industrial application as well.
Standard tires are generally used on forklifts which operate in outdoor environment or where uneven or rough surfaces require more traction and tougher tires.
Since there are many different kinds of forklifts, there are also a lot of different kinds of forklift tires. The kinds of tires that are most commonly used are polyurethane, pneumatic and solid. The type of tires are dictated by what and where the forklift is utilized for. It is very essential to acquire the correct type of tires for the task and ensuring the correct choice will have a huge effect on both performance and safety.
It is better to utilize pneumatic tires on outdoor forklifts that operate in an all-terrain environment like on construction sites. These are made of tough rubber and then filled with air, like a truck or tractor tire. Pneumatic tires create an air cushion between the forklift and the terrain. This design considerably lessens the wear and tear on the machinery and creates a very comfortable ride for the operator. The thick, deep treads on the tires provide the necessary traction needed for use on uneven and rough surfaces.
For light industrial use, both outdoors and indoors, solid tires are best. They are made out of constructed solid, tough rubber. This helps them to stay safer from blowouts, popping like pneumatic tires or damage because of puncture wounds. Because 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 typically outlast both of the rubber tire designs but are designed for indoor warehouse use 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 extra weight of the equipment's batteries. Due to the lower rolling resistance of the tires, one more advantage of this kind of tire is the longer battery life.