Used Cushion Tire Forklift Nevada - Most forklifts are classified by the kind of work they do and some are classified by their type of tires. The two types of tire classification for forklifts are:
1. Cushion; and
2. Pneumatic.
When considering the benefits and drawbacks of cushion tires in forklift uses, it is important to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the other available forklift tire option: the pneumatic tire. The cushion tire benefits and drawbacks can only be understood in the context of what the pneumatic tire offers in terms of forklift operation.
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. These kinds of forklift tires are cheaper to make and easier to maintain. Cushion tires are designed for smooth surface applications such as work that takes place mostly indoors or around loading docks. Cushion tires make travelling in tight locations much easier to navigate around corners due to their tight radius. Forklifts that use cushion tires can be lower to the ground compared to pneumatic tire models and the increase in vertical clearance is welcome for many applications. It is important to note that cushion tires do not offer as much traction compared to pneumatic models and this is noticeable on wet locations and outdoor surfaces.
Cushion tire forklifts are used for a wide range of applications, including order picking, unloading shipments, organizing inventory, transporting to and from a loading dock and other similar applications.
Pneumatic Tires
Pneumatic tires, on the other hand, are primarily designed to operate in rougher terrain, with uneven surfaces. These tires have two categorizations:
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.
For locations with uneven surfaces and unpaved ground, pneumatic tire forklifts are prime choices. Locations that have sharp debris or objects that could puncture a standard air pneumatic tires such as junkyards or lumber yards will benefit from solid resilient pneumatic forklift tires.
Benefits of Cushion Tire Forklifts
Forklifts that use cushion tires are a wise option for interior and exterior locations that feature smooth surfaces. The type of forklift that utilizes cushion tires are for mainly inside applications with some limited outside use. They are often designed for use in areas such as manufacturing plants and warehouses. Cushion tire models excel in tight locations including narrow aisles and accessing high shelves.
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
Indoor forklift models that use cushion tires feature lower clearance compared to pneumatic tire models. This enables the machine to travel through doors and navigate obstacles such as sprinkler systems ad lights much easier.
3) Durability
Cushion tires for forklifts are durable, easy to maintain and have little to no risk of puncture.
4) Quiet
Cushion tire forklifts do not use an internal combustion engine and instead rely on a battery or fuel cell, making them significantly quieter than their propane or diesel cousins.
5) Environmentally Friendly
Cushion tire forklifts are more environmentally friendly as they use electricity and produce no harmful emissions, compared to internal combustion engine models.
Forklift Tire Choice
The forklift frame typically depicts whether a cushion tire or a pneumatic tire will be utilized. The forklifts’ lifting capacity and frame are specific to the axles and tires in the design. Forklift manufacturers create models that safely operate with certain tires and wheels, typically pneumatic tires or cushion tires. Because of this, it is more useful to choose the best forklift type, considering the type of tires the forklift will require and how it fits the job application, rather than attempting to modify the forklift by choosing the right tire for the application.
Workplace Applications
Suitable Work Applications for Cushion Tires
There are many work applications suitable for using cushion tire forklift models. 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. This compact design facilitates easier clearance through doorways and overhead obstacle avoidance. However, cushion tire forklifts also have less clearance to the ground which can result in cushion tire forklifts getting easily hung up on outdoor obstacles where the surface is not cleared or even. One solution is to outfit traction tires on the front of the cushion tire forklift. Traction style tires will give better traction on rough terrains like asphalt or packed gravel or wet surfaces. However, it is still not recommended to drive on dirt or grass and it must be noted that the same type of tire must be used on the opposite sides, drive and steer axles.
One of the top advantages of the cushion forklifts is their tight turning radius. Their ability to work in compact locations makes cushion tire forklifts excellent for warehousing and manufacturing operations. 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. Some interior locations may utilize pneumatic tire forklifts; however, they do not offer a small turning radius or the lower clearance and maneuverability that the cushion tires provide. Of course, they are often powered by internal combustion engine so do produce harmful emissions which are not recommended for normal indoor use. Measuring wider and longer in comparison to cushion tire forklifts, pneumatic tire models are mostly utilized outside.
The solid pneumatic tire costs more compared to the air 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. Air-filled pneumatic tires can easily become punctured and their working environment needs to be evaluated carefully. It is essential to ensure the work site is free from any sharp materials before using a forklift with air pneumatic tires. Air tires are also known to give a bouncy ride, contributing to operator discomfort and fatigue. Therefore, many air pneumatic tire forklift users prefer to foam fill their tires. 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. Pneumatic tire and cushion tire forklifts are available in practically 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
