In order to help you select the right Forklift Tire and Compound, we will ask you to consider the following factors: type of fuel utilized; weight of your typical load; length of your typical run; kinds of problems you are having; kind of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether your forklift operates over dock plates; number of shifts and percentage of time the forklift is loaded; and the average speed and the top speed of your forklift
To be able to describe various characteristics of tires, there are some specific terms that are utilized. It can help to know what exactly they mean. The term Durometer means the hardness of forklift tires. The range is usually from 83 to 95, the number increasing with the hardness of the tire. Nearly all of the tires made nowadays fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The driver can have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are recommended for applications which need regular maneuvering as they offer better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For applications that need long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not recommended. They are made of softer compounds that have the tendency to heat up and wear more quickly than hard tires.
For applications that need high speed, long runs and multiple shifts, it is best to have harder tires. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they will last longer and wear better. Hard tires are less forgiving of floor debris and give a less comfortable ride. They have the tendency to be more energy efficient as they provide less resistance.
Universal Compound tires combine advantages and are suggested as all-around tires for general use.