Selecting Between Cushion & Pneumatic Tires
Forklift tires contribute significantly to your equipment's handling and safety characteristics, as well as affecting maintenance costs. The type of forklift determines to a large extent the type of tire as the majority of forklifts are constructed with a specific frame that accepts just a specific type of tire. It helps to know the properties of both pneumatic and cushion tires prior to choosing a tire.
Instructions
1 Check your forklift owner guidebook for specifications about tires. Most likely your forklift will function either on pneumatic tires or cushion tires. This would limit your options to the kind of tire for which the forklift frame is built.
2 Make certain you know the particular kind of forklift you are utilizing. Electric pallet jack trucks and electric forklift trucks are usually built to use cushion tires which do not require a lot of friction. Pneumatic tires are usually for forklifts that run on liquid propane gas or diesel.
3 Make sure you know what type of ground you would be utilizing the forklift on. Soft cushion tires are constructed for even terrain whereas pneumatic tires are best for rough terrain. Cushion tires, if used on grounds which are uneven, can cause the forklift to get stuck because they are set lower. Pneumatic tires perform well on gravel, packed stones and crushed concrete but not on very rough terrain and potholed surfaces.
4 Make sure you know the space limitations. Forklifts used mostly for indoor applications need to be able to pivot in tight spaces. Cushion tires work better than pneumatic tires in those types of conditions.
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