To help you choose the best Forklift Tire and Compound, we would ask you to think about the following factors: type of fuel utilized; standard weight of load; typical length of your run; types of problems you are having; kind of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether or not your forklift operates over dock plates; percentage of time and number of shifts the forklift is loaded; and the top speed and the normal speed of your forklift
To describe different attributes of tires, there are some specific terms that are used. It is helpful to know what they mean. The term Durometer refers to the hardness of forklift tires. The range is normally from 83 to 95, the number increasing with the hardness of the tire. Nearly all of the tires manufactured today fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
Softer tires give the operator a more comfortable ride. They are preferable for operations which need frequent maneuvering since they offer better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses requiring long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not recommended. They are made of softer compounds that tend to heat up and wear more quickly compared to hard tires.
Harder tires are recommended for applications needing high speed, multiple shifts and long runs. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they would wear better and last longer. Hard tires give a less comfortable ride and are less forgiving of floor debris. They have the tendency to be more energy efficient as they provide less resistance.
For general applications, it is suggested to utilize Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires which combine various advantages.