To help you select the right Forklift Tire and Compound, we will ask you to think about the following things: kind 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 or not your forklift operates over dock plates; number of shifts and percentage of time the forklift is loaded; and the normal speed and the top speed of your forklift
To describe different characteristics of tires, there are some particular terms which are used. It could help to know what they mean. The term Durometer means the hardness of forklift tires. The range is typically from 83 to 95, the number increasing with the hardness of the tire. The majority of the tires made these days 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 operations which require regular maneuvering since they provide better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses requiring maximum speed and long runs, soft tires are not recommended. They are constructed of softer compounds which tend to heat up and wear more quickly than hard tires.
For use which require high speed, long runs and multiple shifts, 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 because they provide less resistance.
Universal Compound tires combine advantages and are recommended as all-around tires for general applications.