Selecting Between Pneumatic and Cushion Tires
Considerably contributing to the safety and handling of the machinery are forklift tires. They also impact the maintenance costs. The kind of forklift would determine to a large extent the type of tire since nearly all forklifts are constructed with a particular frame that accepts only a specific type of tire. It helps to know the properties of both pneumatic and cushion tires before selecting a tire.
Instructions
1 Check your forklift owner guidebook for specifications regarding tires. Most likely your forklift runs either on cushion tires or pneumatic tires. This would limit your options to the kind of tire for which the forklift frame is made.
2 Check the kind of forklift. Electric pallet jack trucks and electric forklift trucks are generally built to utilize cushion tires that do not require a lot of friction. Pneumatic tires are generally for forklifts which run on liquid propane gas or diesel.
3 Make sure you know what type of terrain you would be using the forklift on. Soft cushion tires are made for even grounds whilst pneumatic tires are suitable for rough terrain. Cushion tires, if utilized on surfaces that are not even, 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 really rough terrain and potholed surfaces.
4 Make sure you know the space limitations. Forklifts used mainly indoors must be able to pivot in limited areas. Cushion tires work better than pneumatic tires in those kinds of conditions.
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