Lift trucks have to keep on the move and for this they need well-maintained forklift tires, wheels and casters. Here are some things you should know about them.
Like tires for cars and trucks, forklift wheels have standard specifications. You might have a Toyota forklift or an Allis Chalmers truck but their tires will be classified according to certain characteristics. These are, generally, by the size, pattern, ply rating, rim width, inflated dimensions and load capacity.
In a forklift, front tires do the pulling while rear wheels handle the steering of the truck. Casters are wheels on a mechanism that allow them to turn in different directions. Casters are available as either pneumatic tires or polywheels.
In choosing tires for your truck, you can choose between pneumatic wheels, pneumatic-shaped solids, cushion tires, and polywheels. Pneumatic wheels are like car or truck tires: they are made of rubber and filled with air. Pneumatic-shaped solids are like pneumatic tires but are solid rubber, whereas polywheels are made of polyurethane.
Polywheels have the advantage over other types when it comes to electric forklifts or trucks driven over flat surfaces. They're smoother, have a lower rolling resistance and thereby extend battery life. Most electric forklifts in use are now equipped with polywheels.
When a forklift has to be driven over rough, uneven terrain where traction is a must, pneumatic or cushion tires are preferred. They both have treads which provide the traction and can handle the loads more effectively.
The advantage of the solid tire over the pneumatic type is the length of service, outlasting a pneumatic tire by a ratio of 3:1. Another advantage is that it is impervious to punctures. This means that you don't suffer any downtime because of a flat tire. The downside for solid tires is that they cost more than pneumatic wheels.
You can mount forklift tires the usual way with nuts, studs and bolts. Or, you can use press-on tires. Press-ons consist of a metal ring with an outer layer of rubber (also called a cushion tire) or polyurethane bonded to it. They compose almost 70% of all forklift tires used in the USA today.
Truck tires should never be used as substitutes for forklift tires. Although they may fit on the forklift wheel, truck tires are not approved by the OSHA for use in forklift trucks because they pose safety hazards. Forklift manufacturers also disapprove of using truck tires on their forklifts.
Non-marking forklift tires are those where the carbon black of the wheel has been removed in order to eliminate black marks on the floor. They are available in both pneumatic and solid tires and are mandatory for grocery and food processing plants. On the downside, they have a shorter lifespan and may generate static electricity in some climates.
Pneumatic wheels are available as either bias or radial tires. Weight, tread depth and sidewall protection are the factors to consider in choosing which type to buy. Radial tires last longer and are more resistant to punctures but also cost more than bias tires.
Forklift tires, wheels and casters are critical components of the truck so knowing as much about them as possible can help you choose the right parts for the right truck.
Jack Ranger is a Community Manager at LiftX Parts International. Jack regularly writes articles, blogs, and other informational content related to the forklift and material handling industry. Jack's goal is to improve the current material handling online community by promoting education, sharing of information, and engagement.
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