In order to help you choose the best Forklift Tire and Compound, we will ask you to consider the following things: kind of fuel utilized; standard weight of load; length of your typical run; types of problems you are having; type of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether or not 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
There are particular terms which describe different attributes of tires. It could help to know what 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. Most of the tires made nowadays fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The operator can have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are preferable for applications which require regular maneuvering because they offer better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For applications requiring long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not suggested. They are made of softer compounds that tend to heat up and wear faster compared to hard tires.
For applications which require multiple shifts, high speed and long runs, it is best to have harder tires. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they would last longer and wear better. Hard tires give a less comfortable ride and are less forgiving of floor debris. They tend to be more energy efficient as they offer less resistance.
For general applications, it is suggested to utilize Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires which combine various advantages.