Forklift Tires
When it comes to types of installation, there are two types regarding forklift tires: standard and press on. Normally, press on tires are used on electric forklifts and those models used indoors such as warehouses. The press on tires could be used also in light industrial operation as well.
Standard tires are mostly used on forklifts that operate in outdoor environment or where uneven or rough surfaces need tougher tires and more traction.
There are many different types of forklift tires just as there are many different kinds of forklifts. The most frequently utilized tires are pneumatic, solid and polyurethane. The kind of tires are dictated by what and where the forklift is used for. It is very crucial to get the correct tires for the task and making sure that the correct choice would have a huge effect on both performance and safety.
For outdoor forklifts that have to operate in an all-terrain environment like on a construction site, the best alternative will be pneumatic tires. These are made of durable rubber and then filled with air, similar to 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 deep, thick treads on the tires provide the necessary traction needed for use on surfaces which are rough and uneven.
Solid tires are best suited for both light industrial indoor and outdoor use. They are fabricated out of constructed solid, tough rubber. This helps them to stay safer from blowouts, popping like pneumatic tires or damage due to puncture wounds. Because these tires are not filled with air, they are unable to 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 fairly softer ride. The only problem is that this type of construction makes the load carrying capacity of the forklift less.
Though they are designed for indoor warehouse applications only, polyurethane forklift tires will usually 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 due to the additional weight of the machine's batteries. Due to the tire's lower rolling resistance, another benefit of this particular type of tire is the longer battery life.