How to Choose Forklift Tires in Indiana

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The best forklifts in Indiana are more than just the sum of their parts. From the mast to the tines to rider controls, each piece needs to work together as a whole to help your warehouse or yard move material efficiently, and each needs to be optimized for the work you do.

One part of material handling equipment that’s sometimes neglected by warehouse managers are the tires. While it may be tempting to go with the least expensive option, choosing the right tires for your forklifts and other machinery can go a long way to increasing productivity and efficiency.

Let’s take a look at how you can pick the optimal tires for your machinery.

How To Determine The Best Forklift Tires For You

To find the right tires for your forklifts, there are a few different things to take into consideration.

Weight - Of course, forklifts are meant to lift heavy loads, but certain types of forklift tires are more effective for specific weight loads. Keep in mind the maximum weight of the loads your machines need to haul when choosing tires.

Terrain - Will your forklifts be used primarily indoors, outdoors, or both? Are your warehouse floors slick or frequently wet? If it needs to be outdoors, is the terrain uneven or otherwise filled with debris or rocks?

Workload - Different from the question of weight, how much work will the forklift do throughout the day? Will it constantly be moving material, or an occasional part of your operations?

Mobility - Will your forklift need to make very tight turns or work in narrow spaces?

The Types of Forklift Tires

The two main tire categories Indiana forklift users chooses are cushion and pneumatic tires. Let’s take a look at each.

Cushion Forklift Tires

Cushion tires, sometimes referred to as solid rubber tires, are exactly what that name implies: solid rubber. Typically less expensive than other types of tires, cushion tires are good choices for when forklifts have an easier job–if their loads are lighter, work is primarily done indoors, and aren’t in constant use. An upside of cushion tires is that they typically allow for a tighter turning radius, which is why they’re common choices for narrow aisle lifts or for item picking lifts in warehouses.

Pneumatic Forklift Tires

For heavy-duty forklift needs, or for forklifts on uneven or rough terrain such as gravel, pneumatic forklift tires are the preferred solution. Pneumatic tires offer stronger grip and better traction, making them ideal for lumber yards, indoor-outdoor warehouses and other specialized purposes. Though more durable and offering more stability, pneumatic tires also require stricter maintenance since they need to maintain a recommended inflation level.

Other Forklift Tire Types

While cushion and pneumatic tire types are the most common, they aren’t the only ones on the market. Polyurethane tires, foam fill tires and more are available for forklifts, but are rarely recommended, and primarily for specific material handling purposes.

Your Forklift Is Only As Good As Its Tires

When was the last time you swapped the rubber tires on your forklift? Remember, to be more than the sum of its parts, your forklift needs all parts to work optimally. Call Tynan Equipment Co. today at 317-597-4003 to get all your parts performing their best, from the bottom of the tires to the top of the mast.

Different tires and wheels for Indiana forklifts.

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