Forklift Tires
There are two kinds of tires which 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 like for example warehouses. The press on tires could also be utilized in light industrial operation as well.
Surfaces that are uneven or rough need more traction and tougher tires. Therefore, standard tires are usually used. However, they are generally used on forklifts that operate in outdoor settings.
There are a lot of different types of forklift tires just as there are many various types of forklifts. The most frequently used tires are pneumatic, solid and polyurethane. The type of tires are dictated by where and what the forklift is utilized for. It is essential to get the right kind of tires for the job and ensuring the correct choice would have a huge effect on both performance and safety.
For outdoor forklifts which have to function in an all-terrain environment like on a construction site, the best alternative would be pneumatic tires. 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 significantly lessens the wear and tear on the machinery and creates a very comfortable ride for the operator. The tire's deep, thick treads provide the necessary traction needed for use on uneven and rough surfaces.
Solid tires are best suited for both light industrial outdoor and indoor use. 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 are unable to provide the cushion effect. This fact makes them not suitable for use on rough terrain. Several solid tires are constructed with holes in the sidewalls to provide a fairly softer ride. The only issue is that this kind of construction makes the load carrying capacity of the forklift less.
Though they are designed for indoor warehouse use only, polyurethane forklift tires will normally outlast both rubber tire designs. The load capacity of polyurethane is a lot higher compared to a rubber tire. These tires work great with well with electric forklifts because of the additional weight of the equipment's batteries. Due to the less rolling resistance of the tires, another advantage of this particular kind of tire is the extended battery life.