Choosing Between Cushion & Pneumatic Tires
Forklift tires contribute a lot to your machine's handling and safety characteristics, as well as impacting maintenance costs. The kind of forklift determines to a large extent the type of tire as nearly all forklifts are made with a particular frame that accepts only a specific kind of tire. It helps to know the properties of both cushion and pneumatic tires before choosing a tire.
Instructions
1 Check your forklift owner handbook for specifications about tires. Most likely your forklift will function either on cushion tires or pneumatic tires. This will limit your choice to the kind of tire for which the forklift frame is made.
2 Check the type of forklift. Electric forklift trucks and electric pallet jack trucks usually are constructed to utilize cushion tires which do not require a lot of friction. Pneumatic tires are usually for forklifts which are powered by liquid propane gas or diesel.
3 Check the kind of terrain. Soft cushion tires are made for even terrain while pneumatic tires are suitable for rough grounds. Cushion tires, if used on uneven surface, could cause the forklift to get stuck as they are set lower. Pneumatic tires perform well on crushed concrete, gravel and packed stones but not on potholed surfaces and really rough terrain.
4 Check space limitations. Forklifts used mainly indoors should be able to turn in limited spaces. Cushion tires really work better than pneumatic tires in those kinds of environments.
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