In order to help you select the right Forklift Tire and Compound, we would ask you to think about the following factors: kind of fuel utilized; weight of your typical load; standard 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 average speed of your forklift
There are certain terms which describe various attributes of tires. It can help 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 will increase that depends on the hardness of the tire. Most of the tires manufactured today fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The operator could have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are recommended for applications which require regular maneuvering because they provide better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses requiring long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not suggested. They are made of softer compounds which have the tendency to heat up and wear faster than hard tires.
For use that 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 are less forgiving of floor debris and give a less comfortable ride. They have the tendency to be more energy efficient since they offer less resistance.
Universal Compound tires combine advantages and are recommended as all-around tires for general use.