HOW TO CHOOSE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR FORKLIFTS?

You may have an amazing forklift that is designed to meet all your ergonomic conveniences. But without the right types of tire, your forklift might as well become a mere ornament in your warehouse. The reason is your forklift tires are what keeps a forklift going. Picking the right tires will not only help your forklifts to work effectively, but also enable you to maximize your investment with solid, consistent productivity.

Pneumatic Tires

Pneumatic forklift tires are very similar to the heavy-duty tire found on highway trucks. Filled with air, they have deep treads and are made of long-lasting rubber. Some of the heavy duty applications have the pneumatic tires filled with liquid polyurethane foam instead of air. A pneumatic forklift tire extends the useful life of the forklift because of this added protection. This is the primary tire for use in heavy duty, rough outdoor applications.

Solid Rubber Tires

The solid rubber forklift tire is very similar to the pneumatic, but without the cushion the air provides. They are normally solid rubber built around a metal band. Ironically, on forklifts, these are sometimes called cushion tires because they provide a cushion of solid tire between the load and the surface. A solid forklift tire will last a long time; the trade off is the lack of protection for your equipment. There are some standard solid tires, but they are normally manufactured as a press on tire.

Polyurethane Tires

The polyurethane forklift tire is a lightweight option that provides good traction with low rolling resistance. These are tires most often found on electric, indoor use forklifts. They can carry more weight and this is a consideration in balancing the weight of batteries. Polyurethane forklift tires are considered to be a press on tire.

Understand Your Workplace

Every workplace is different. When it comes to picking the right tire, workplace environment, size, weight, and workload time should be thoughtfully evaluated. For example, forklifts that work on tough outdoor spaces can greatly benefit from pneumatic tires’ heavy load capacity and durability. Meanwhile, polyurethane tires are great for reach trucks, walkie stackers, and any forklift that operates in narrow aisles.

The specific application (and location) will determine which forklift tire is best for the job.

Contact FUPIA, let's get the job done safely and effectively.