Selecting Between Cushion & Pneumatic Tires
Significantly contributing to the safety and handling of the equipment are forklift tires. They also affect the maintenance expenses. The kind of forklift would determine to a large extent the type of tire because the majority of forklifts are constructed with a particular frame that accepts only a specific type of tire. It helps to understand the properties of both pneumatic and cushion tires prior to selecting a tire.
Instructions
1 Check your forklift owner manual for specifications regarding tires. Most likely your forklift will run either on pneumatic tires or cushion tires. This would limit your options to the type of tire wherein the forklift frame is built.
2 Check the kind of forklift. Electric pallet jack trucks and electric forklift trucks usually are constructed to use cushion tires that do not need a lot of friction. Pneumatic tires are normally utilized for forklifts that function on diesel or liquid propane gas.
3 Make certain you know what type of terrain you will be using the forklift on. Soft cushion tires are made for even terrain while pneumatic tires are suitable for rough terrain. Cushion tires, if used on surfaces that are not even, can cause the forklift to get stuck since 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 Make sure you know the space limitations. Forklifts used mainly for indoor applications have to be able to pivot in tight spaces. Cushion tires work better than pneumatic tires in those types of conditions.
|
|
