Forklift Tires: Cushion, Solid Pneumatic, Air Pneumatic - Any Difference?

Today, we are going to talk about the different types of forklift tires and help you choose the right one for your application.

We have over 40 years of experience in the material handling industry and we would love to share our expertise and experience with you.

This comprehensive guide will explain the difference between cushion, solid pneumatic, and air pneumatic forklift tires. So, let's get going.

You need the right tire for the right application

Forklift Tires

Not all forklift tires are created the same and not every tire is right for every application.

Cushion Forklift Tires

Cushion forklift tires have exceptional maneuverability

Construction:

Cushion forklift tires are made from solid rubber. They are attached directly on the wheel of your forklift. They are smooth and do not have the deep treads found on pneumatic tires.

Advantages:

Because cushion forklift tires sit lower to the ground, they will give you a smaller turning radius. This means that they have exceptional maneuverability.

Best for:

Cushion forklift tires are best for indoor applications. This type of tire is designed to work best on even surfaces such as warehouse flooring.

They have a difficult time traveling over the uneven surfaces found outside, such as dirt and gravel.

A cushion tire will give you better traction on a dry surface, but they do not work well in moist environments.

You can use cushion tires for light outdoor use on asphalt surfaces. Because cushion tires have a lower clearance than pneumatic, they are unable to maneuver over rough surfaces.

Solid Pneumatic Forklift Tires

Solid tires are puncture resistant and work well on construction sites

Construction:

As their name suggests, solid pneumatic tires are made of solid rubber. They are similar to cushion tires, however they do not give you as comfortable a ride over paved surfaces as cushion tires do.

Take a look at how solid tires are made

Advantages:

Solid pneumatic forklift tires are incredibly durable and are almost indestructible. They cannot be punctured by nails, screws, etc.

They are worth the extra investment because they are going to last you an extremely long time. They are the most commonly used forklift tire on the market today.

Best for:

Solid pneumatic tires can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. They are the best choice for areas with a lot of debris such as lumber yards, scrap yards and construction sites.

Air Pneumatic Forklift Tires

Pneumatic tires are much larger than cushion tires

Construction:

Air pneumatic forklift tires are very similar to car and truck tires. They are made of a very strong, long-lasting rubber, but they are filled with air. They are the same size as solid pneumatic tires.

Advantages:

Air pneumatic tires have a very deep tread so that they can grip really well on uneven surfaces.

Best for:

These tires work well on rough, outdoor terrain, such as unpaved surfaces. They can be punctured though. It's best not to use air pneumatic forklift tires in lumber yards or construction sites where there are lots of things such as nails that can damage your tires.

Air pneumatic tires are better for outdoor applications where there are no sharp objects

Other Forklift Tire Options

Foam Filling

You may be able to fill your air pneumatic tires with foam instead of air. The foam will better protect your tires from punctures in environments where sharp objects are present.

Once your tires have been filled with foam, they usually take two to three days to cure. They can often be used with your existing wheels as well. You should follow the manufacturer's instructions and have them filled by a professional local dealer.

This video will let you see how a tire can be filled with foam

Combination Solid and Air Pneumatic Tires

You can use a combination of solid and air filled pneumatic tires on your forklift. However, you need to make sure that you either have solid tires on the front and air-filled on the back, or air-filled on the front and solid on the back. You cannot mix one of each type of tire on the same axle.

Fiberglass Forklift Tires

When fiberglass is integrated into your rubber tires, it helps your tires have a higher resistance to heat. Heat can damage your rubber tires over time.

When you use your forklift for a long period of time, friction causes heat to build up in the rubber. The addition of fiberglass means that your tires will last longer.

Polyurethane Forklift Tires

Although rubber is the most popular choice for forklift tires, you can also get them made from polyurethane.

A polyurethane tire is chemical-resistant, so they are a good choice if you are working around chemicals that could spill on the floor.

Polyurethane tires can also hold their integrity better than rubber tires when used to move heavy loads over short distances.

Static-Resistant Tires

If you work in a facility with combustive or explosive materials, then you may want to purchase static-resistant tires that prevent static discharge.

This is a great choice to reduce or avoid the possibility of static electricity, especially working around materials that produce fumes or are flammable.

Cold-Prepped

When warehouse surfaces get cold, they can easily build up ice, making traction difficult for your forklift. Cold-prepped tires are covered with a "walnut" surface that gives them extra traction in these conditions.

Need Forklift Tires? Contact Wayco

If you need new forklift tires, contact the professionals at Wayco. We can help you choose the right tires for your needs. You can also trust Wayco for all of your forklift repairs. You can rely on Wayco for:

Trustworthy Service: ForkliftHub has been a trustworthy forklift repair service provider in Kitchener-Waterloo for over 40 years.

Find out why our customers have come to rely on us to give them quality forklift repairs at the most competitive prices in the industry.

You can even contact us for an estimate on your repair ahead of time!

Fast Response Time: Wayco also has an incredibly fast response time, so you won't have to wait to get your lift trucks back in operation.

We can usually have our service tech at your location within 2 to 3 hours, and we also guarantee the same day.

Reliable Ongoing Maintenance: Wayco will help you make sure that your forklifts are well maintained. We can track and pre-schedule all maintenance work for you so that your equipment is properly serviced in a timely manner.

This will help you avoid expensive downtime, and you won't have to remember to schedule or book your service work. We'll do it for you.

Any Make or Model: ForkliftHub offers top-quality service on all forklift makes and models. If you are looking for top-quality forklift maintenance and service, contact ForkliftHub.

Our fully equipped service and parts department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our qualified technicians are capable of properly performing maintenance services and inspections of all types.

Our knowledgeable staff can keep your equipment in top working condition, which means lower repair costs and higher machine efficiency. Contact ForkliftHub today for all of your forklift maintenance and repair needs.