Selecting Between Pneumatic and Cushion Tires
Forklift tires contribute significantly to your equipment's safety and handling features, as well as impacting maintenance costs. The kind of forklift determines to a large extent the type of tire since most forklifts are made with a specific frame that accepts just a specific kind of tire. It helps to understand the properties of both cushion and pneumatic tires before choosing a tire.
Instructions
1 Check your forklift owner guidebook for specifications about tires. Most likely your forklift will function either on pneumatic tires or cushion tires. This will limit your choice to the kind of tire wherein the forklift frame is constructed.
2 Make sure you know the specific kind of forklift you are utilizing. Electric forklift trucks and electric pallet jack trucks usually are built to use cushion tires which do not need much friction. Pneumatic tires are usually utilized for forklifts that are powered by diesel or liquid propane gas.
3 Make certain you know what type of terrain you will be utilizing the forklift on. Soft cushion tires are constructed for even terrain whilst pneumatic tires are suitable for rough terrain. Cushion tires, if utilized on surfaces that are uneven, could cause the forklift to get stuck because they are set lower. Pneumatic tires perform well on packed stones, crushed concrete and gravel but not on potholed surfaces and really rough grounds.
4 Make certain you know the space limitations. Forklifts used mainly for indoor applications need to be able to pivot in limited areas. Cushion tires work better than pneumatic tires in those types of situations.
![]() |
![]() |