Having The Right Forklift Tyres, Can Save Your Business Money

Having the right forklift tyres on your forklift, is something that forklift owners often don’t think about. But it is one thing on a forklift that can save your business a lot of cost.

The most common types of forklift tyres are solid or pneumatic.

Pneumatic – Think of these being just like your car tyres. They have tubes and are filled with air.

Solid – These tyres are generally referred to as Puncture Proof, and are a solid rubber filled pneumatic profile tyre

Different forklift tyres from different manufacturers will vary, with different ply ratings, made from different compounds and will have a different tread.  When choosing your forklift its important to make sure that the right tyres is used in the right application.

By making sure your forklift tyres remain in good shape, it can really help reduce wear and tear on the forklift transmission, fuel efficiency is improved and the forklift driver will have a much more comfortable ride.

Application and Your tyre

Depending on what application your operating your forklift in, will dictate what type of tyre your forklift will be running.

There are several different types of forklifts tyres

Pneumatic tyres

These are just like your car tyres, filled with air, and are made from thick wear resistant rubber.  They are generally best used on uneven or rougher surfaces.

Solid tyres/Puncture Proof

A solid tyre, is now one of the most common tyres.  Generally a pneumatic profile tyre that is solid.  The great thing about these types of tyres is that they will usually last 2 – 3 times longer than pneumatic tyres, and being solid means they won’t get punctured.

Cushion tyres

A cushion tyre is a thin rubber tyre that is pressed onto a metal band.  Generally these types of tyres are found on forklifts, that are used in warehousing or places with concrete flooring.  The forklifts are designed in a way that they will have a lot smaller turning radius.

Non-marking tyres

Are exactly the same as solid/puncture proof tyres, but instead of being made from black rubber, they are made from white rubber.

The difference being that the white rubber tyre will not leave Black scuff marks on a otherwise clean concrete floor. The only downfall with these types of tyres are that they have a shortened life span.

Polyurethane wheels

Are almost exclusively used on warehousing and indoor forklifts, like walkie stackers or reach trucks.  They can range from a small castor wheel found on the front of a straddle leg to the large drive wheel on the back of a reach truck.

Foam Filled

Are basically a pneumatic tyre that is filled with a special resin.  They can give slightly more cushioning then a Puncture Proof tyre on the forklift.

Way to Make sure your tyres last

When it comes to storing forklift tyres, it is best to avoid storing them for longer then a few months at a time.  They need to be stored in a cool and dark dirt and oil free area.  Just like your car tyre, the hard and faster you drive them, and spin your tyres the  quicker your forklift tyres will wear out a lot quicker.  Maintain them, drive you forklift normally and you will get maximum life out of them.

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By John

John Condron, has had a very long varied career in heavy equipment industry. Including a 10 year stint in the USA materials handling markets. John now make a full time writing for several online publications.