Forklift Tires
When it comes to installation types, there are two kinds regarding forklift tires: standard and press on. Usually, press on tires are used on electric forklifts and those kinds of forklifts used indoors like warehouses. The press on tires can also be used in light industrial operation as well.
Standard tires are generally used on forklifts that operate in outdoor environment or where uneven or rough surfaces require tougher tires and more traction.
Because there are a lot of different types of forklifts, there are also lots of various kinds of forklift tires. The types of tires which are most commonly used are solid, polyurethane and pneumatic. The type of tires are dictated by what and where the forklift is used for. It is very crucial to obtain the right tires for the job and ensuring the proper pick would have a big effect on both performance and safety.
For outdoor forklifts that need to function in an all-terrain environment like on a construction site, the best alternative would be pneumatic tires. These are made of durable rubber and then filled with air, like a tractor or truck tire. Pneumatic tires create an air cushion between the forklift and the terrain. This design significantly lessens the wear and tear on the equipment and creates a very comfortable ride for the operator. The tire's deep, thick treads provide the necessary traction needed for use on surfaces which are uneven and rough.
Solid tires are best suited for both light industrial indoor and outdoor applications. 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 fairly softer ride. The only problem is that this type of construction makes the load carrying capacity of the forklift less.
Although they are intended for indoor warehouse use only, polyurethane forklift tires will usually outlast both rubber tire designs. The load capacity of polyurethane is much higher than that of a rubber tire. These tires work great with well with electric forklifts due to the added weight of the batteries of the machine. Due to the less rolling resistance of the tires, one more advantage of this particular type of tire is the longer battery life.