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) 247-8474 to get all your parts performing their best, from the bottom
of the tires to the top of the mast.
