Used Cushion Tire Forklift Riverside - Forklift trucks are commonly classified by the kind of work they complete as well as the kind of tire they use. Pneumatic and cushion tires provide the 2 distinct forklift classifications.
It is vital to note that there are benefits and drawbacks to both types of forklift tires; cushion and pneumatic. The benefits and potential drawbacks of the cushion tire models can only be compared when the pneumatic benefits and drawbacks are equally discussed.
Forklift Tire Classifications
Cushion Tires
Cushion tires are made up of either smooth or treaded solid rubber and are designed around a metal ring or baseband. Cushion tires cost less to make and are easier to take care of. Cushion tires are designed for smooth surface applications such as work that takes place mostly indoors or around loading docks. Cushion tires are also better suited to applications in tight spaces. This is because they offer a turning radius that allows for movement around tight corners. Cushion tires enable the forklift to be situated closer to the ground, increasing the vertical clearance in comparison to other models that rely on pneumatic tires. However, cushion tires do not provide as much traction as pneumatic tires. This is especially true for outdoor areas and wet surfaces.
There are many jobs suitable for cushion tire forklifts such as unloading shipments, transporting items to and from the loading areas, order picking, unloading inventory and more.
Pneumatic Tires
Pneumatic tires have two categorizations as either solid resilient pneumatic or standard air pneumatic. They are popular for rough terrain applications and uneven surfaces.
The main difference with these categories is that the standard air pneumatic tires consist of a layered rubber design filled with air and the solid resilient pneumatic type is made completely out of rubber.
Pneumatic tire forklifts are excellent choices for working in locations with uneven or unpaved ground outdoors. Solid resilient pneumatic forklifts are a better option in areas that may have objects which could puncture a standard air pneumatic, such as junkyards, lumber yards and the like which may have sharp metal objects.
Benefits of Cushion Tire Forklifts
Cushion tire forklifts can be used inside and outside on smooth surfaces. The majority of forklifts that rely on cushion tires are used mostly indoors with limited outdoor use. They are often designed for use in areas such as manufacturing plants and warehouses. Work which requires forklift operations in tight areas, such as narrow aisles, are ideal for the use of a cushion tire forklift.
Some benefits of using a cushion tire forklift over a pneumatic tire forklift are:
1) Maneuverability
Maneuverability is one of the key pneumatic tire forklift benefits since these models do not require a larger frame to facilitate a bigger internal combustion engine.
2) Lower Clearance
Forklifts built for indoor use with cushion tires generally have a lower clearance than pneumatic tire equipment, allowing the forklift to more easily navigate doorways and other obstacles such as lights and sprinkler systems.
3) Durability
Cushion tires for forklifts are durable, easy to maintain and have little to no risk of puncture.
4) Quiet
Most cushion tire forklift models use a fuel cell or battery as opposed to an internal combustion engine and are much quieter compared to their diesel or propane counterparts.
5) Environmentally Friendly
Again, because most cushion tire forklifts are powered by electricity, rather than an internal combustion engine, cushion tire forklifts produce no harmful emissions.
Forklift Tire Choice
Most forklift frames only allow for either a cushion tire or a pneumatic tire. Tires and axles are specific to the lifting capacity and the machine’s frame. Most forklift manufacturers design forklifts to operate safely with specific wheels and tires, namely cushion tires or pneumatic tires. Instead of trying to modify the forklift by picking the correct tire for a particular application, it is wiser to choose the forklift that will best suit the job at hand.
Workplace Applications
Suitable Work Applications for Cushion Tires
Cushion tire forklifts are popular for a variety of job sites. If the majority of the load lifting, transporting and placing will occur indoors or with only moderate outdoor usage on smooth surfaces, then cushion tires are likely the best option.
Cushion tire forklifts typically feature a smaller frame and sit much lower to the ground compared to pneumatic tire models. Cushion tire models can fit through doorways easier and avoid overhead obstacles. It is important to note that cushion tire forklifts showcase less ground clearance and the machine may get caught up on exterior obstacles if the ground is uneven. To combat this issue, the cushion tire forklift can be fitted with traction tires on the front. Traction based tires will function in rough terrain environments that have wet surfaces, packed gravel and asphalt. These tires are not recommended for travelling on grass or dirt. Traction tires are utilized on the opposite sides, the steer and drive axles.
One of the top advantages of the cushion forklifts is their tight turning radius. This makes cushion tire forklifts ideal for warehouses and manufacturing facilities that have less space. Warehouses that utilize a narrow aisle layout will especially benefit from the smaller turning radius of cushion tire forklifts. Cushion tire forklifts are more cost-effective and available compared to pneumatic tire models.
Suitable Work Applications for Pneumatic Tire Forklifts
Outdoor applications working on gravel benefit from pneumatic tire forklift models thanks to the air in their tires. Pneumatic tires can also be used inside but do not provide the advantages of low clearance, maneuverability or small turning radius. Pneumatic tire forklifts operate with an internal combustion engine and these harmful emissions are dangerous for use indoors. With a wider base and longer frame in comparison to cushion tire models, pneumatic tire forklifts are for use mainly outdoors.
There are two kinds of pneumatic tires; the air-filled pneumatic tire is less expensive than the solid pneumatic tire. The solid pneumatic tire has no air inside and is made from solid rubber. This design makes the tire stronger against punctures or gouges. Outdoor areas including lumber yards and scrap yards that feature copious amounts of metal debris and nails often rely on solid pneumatic tires. Air pneumatic tires work great outside on gravel and asphalt applications. However, air pneumatic tires are susceptible to being punctured or gouged. Due to their susceptibility for getting gouged or punctured, the work location must be free from sharp debris before driving the air pneumatic tires. Air tires are also known to give a bouncy ride, contributing to operator discomfort and fatigue. It is possible to foam fill the pneumatic forklift tires for a smoother ride. Much less bouncy than air-filled pneumatic tires, the solid pneumatic forklift tires provide the operator with a smoother ride. Foam filling is also used to help prevent flat tires. Filling an air pneumatic tire with foam usually takes approximately 3 days to fill and cure.
Difference in Load Capacity
Both cushion tire and pneumatic tire forklifts offer similar load capacities. Some electric powered cushion tire forklifts do have lift limits. However, cushion and pneumatic tire forklifts can basically be obtained with just about any load capacity. Load capacities come in a wide range - from less than 2,000 pounds to more than 200,000 pounds.
Cushion Tire Forklift PDF
