Forklifts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each type of forklift has a unique set of tires. In general, tires are classified as cushion or pneumatic, however subcategories are present within those options. Cushion tire and pneumatic tire forklifts have different types of frames, so they lack cross-compatibility.

Despire the fact that most forklift tires are sturdy and durable, they have to be replaced periodically. Raymond West offers tires for a broad selection of lift trucks at extremely competitive prices.

Cushion Tires

Also known as Press On Tires, this type of tire is generally used indoors, and also outside on smooth surfaces. Press on tires are shorter in diameter as opposed to different kinds of forklift tires, and thus possess a shorter turning radius; making them better for confined areas such as warehouse aisles. Mounting a press on tire on a forklift wheel needs a hydraulic press.

Among the cushion tire selection, two general types are found:

Rubber Cushion Tires: Rubber cushion tires can be used within a warehouse or on even outdoor surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. They are made from solid rubber, attaching around a solid steel band. This type of tire is available smooth or with a tread. Frequently the forward forklift wheels will have treaded tires while the back tires that control steering are smooth.

Polyurethane Cushion Tires: Solid poly tires can hold larger loads than rubber tires, and they are perfect for use in narrow aisles, order pickers and other warehouse jobs. These tires are lightweight, and are more resistant to splitting, tearing, and chunking than rubber, and their life can be up to twice as long as rubber when properly maintained.

Pneumatic Tires

Solid pneumatic and pneumatic tires often are used outdoors, and are better suited to uneven or rough surfaces as opposed to press on tires. They possess noteworthy traction and higher ground clearance meaning they are optimal for uneven terrain.

Regular Pneumatic Tires: This type of pneumatic is inflated with air, and is designed for the roughest surfaces where shock absorption is important, for both the safety of the forklift and the comfort of the operator. The one concern about regular pneumatic tires is that they are more easily punctured, so sometimes they are filled with foam instead of air to ward off flats.

Solid Pneumatic Tires: Solid pneumatic tires are optimized for level surface indoor / outdoor heavy duty applications. Made from solid rubber and basically puncture resistant, they work best for environments with sharp objects, like recycling yards or construction sites.

Non Marking Tires

Pneumatic, solid neumatic, and solid tires have non-marking options available. They are made using hydrated silicas and other additives to refrain from leaving black marks on floors.

These varieties of tires are frequently used in retail or other places where clean floors are of concern. Sometimes they are used in a selection of industrial or food processing plants where cleanliness and dust reduction are important.

There are a few drawbacks to using non-marking tires. Firstly, they don’t tend to be as durable as traditional tire varieties and as such need to be replaced more often. One more issue is that they are more prone to static electricity buildup, and a lift that has them has to be set up with static remediation options.

Forklift Tires Near Me

With proper maintenance, your forklift tires can decrease energy usage, significantly improve operator comfort, and boost your overall productivity. To speak with a forklift tire advisor, give Raymond West a call today!

Raymond West's Stockton facility serves much of the northern Central Valley, including Stockton, Lathrop, Lodi, Tracy, Modesto, and Merced.

Raymond West | Stockton Forklift Dealer

19107 Christopher Way
Lathrop, CA 95330
(800) 675-2500