In selecting the best Forklift Tire and Compound, the following factors must be taken into consideration: type of fuel used; weight of your standard load; length of your standard run; types of problems you are having; kind of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether your forklift operates over dock plates; number of shifts and percentage of time the forklift is loaded; and the top speed and the normal speed of your forklift
There are particular terms which describe different 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 increasing with the hardness of the tire. Most of the tires made today fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
Softer tires offer the driver a more comfortable ride. They are recommended for applications which require regular maneuvering as they provide better traction. They are could better 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 tend to heat up and wear more quickly than hard tires.
Harder tires are recommended for applications requiring multiple shifts, long runs and high speeds. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they will 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 as they offer less resistance.
Universal Compound tires combine advantages and are suggested as all-around tires for general applications.