Forklift Tires
There are two types of tires that can be used on forklifts: press on and standard. Normally, press on tires are used on electric forklifts and those models operating in indoor applications like for example warehouses. The press on tires may also be utilized in light industrial operation too.
Standard tires are mainly utilized on forklifts that operate in outdoor environment or where uneven or rough surfaces need tougher tires and more traction.
Because there are many different kinds of forklifts, there are also many various kinds of forklift tires. The kinds of tires which are most frequently 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 get the correct type of tires for the job and ensuring the correct pick will have a huge effect on both performance and safety.
It is suitable to use pneumatic tires on outdoor forklifts which operate in an all-terrain atmosphere such as on construction sites. These are constructed out 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 particular design considerably lessens the wear and tear on the machine and creates a very 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 use, both outdoors and indoors, solid tires are suitable. 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 can not 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.
The polyurethane forklift tires will normally outlast both of the rubber tire designs but are designed for indoor warehouse use only. The load capacity of polyurethane is much higher than that of a rubber tire. These tires work great with well with electric forklifts because of the added weight of the batteries of the equipment. Due to the tire's less rolling resistance, another benefit of this particular kind of tire is the extended battery life.