Selecting Between Pneumatic and Cushion Tires
Forklift tires contribute significantly to your machine's safety and handling characteristics, as well as affecting maintenance costs. The kind of forklift determines to a large extent the kind of tire as the majority of forklifts are made with a particular frame that accepts only a particular kind of tire. It helps to know the properties of both cushion and pneumatic tires before selecting a tire.
Instructions
1 For tire specifications, you must check your forklift owner handbook. Most likely your forklift will function either on pneumatic tires or cushion tires. This will limit your choice to the kind of tire for which the forklift frame is constructed.
2 Make sure you know the particular type of forklift you are utilizing. Electric forklift trucks and electric pallet jack trucks are usually built to use cushion tires that do not require a lot of friction. Pneumatic tires are generally used for forklifts which are powered by liquid propane gas or diesel.
3 Check the kind of terrain. Soft cushion tires are made for even terrain while pneumatic tires are suitable for rough terrain. Cushion tires, if utilized on uneven surface, could cause the forklift to get stuck as they are set lower. Pneumatic tires perform well on crushed concrete, gravel and packed stones but not on potholed surfaces and really rough terrain.
4 Check space limitations. Forklifts utilized mainly indoors must be able to pivot in tight areas. Cushion tires really work better than pneumatic tires in those types of conditions.
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