Selecting Between Cushion & Pneumatic Tires
Considerably contributing to the handling and safety of the equipment are forklift tires. They also affect the maintenance costs. The kind of forklift determines to a large extent the kind of tire since most forklifts are constructed with a specific frame that accepts just a particular kind of tire. It helps to understand the properties of both cushion and pneumatic tires prior to selecting a tire.
Instructions
1 Check your forklift owner manual for specifications regarding tires. Most likely your forklift runs either on pneumatic tires or cushion tires. This will limit your options to the type of tire wherein the forklift frame is constructed.
2 Make sure you know the particular type of forklift you are utilizing. Electric forklift trucks and electric pallet jack trucks generally are built to utilize cushion tires that do not require much friction. Pneumatic tires are normally for forklifts which are powered by diesel or liquid propane gas.
3 Make sure you know what kind of terrain you would be using the forklift on. Soft cushion tires are constructed for even grounds whereas pneumatic tires are suitable for rough grounds. Cushion tires, if used on surfaces that are uneven, could cause the forklift to get stuck since they are set lower. Pneumatic tires perform well on packed stones, crushed concrete and gravel but not on very rough terrain and potholed surfaces.
4 Check space limitations. Forklifts used mainly indoors must be able to turn in tight spaces. Cushion tires really work better than pneumatic tires in those types of environments.
|
|
