In this article, you’ll learn:
Which forklift tire to use, in the case of pneumatic or cushion, is decided for you after you choose whether you need a, cushion or pneumatic lift truck. For more on the breakdown between pneumatic forklifts and cushion forklifts: watch our video breakdown here.
Pneumatic tires offer high performance on uneven and rough surfaces. These tires are often used in outdoor operations like lumber yards and are most like car tires. See all the types of pneumatic tires below.
These tires are ideal for outdoor use because they provide a strong grip on uneven surfaces and rough terrain. They do this through their use of rubber treads and shock absorption.
You would choose this option if you want to have your tires last the longest and you’re OK with a bumpier ride. The solid part in a solid pneumatic tire means that the tire is made from solid rubber. The solid tires wear the longest out of all the pneumatic tires, but they have no “give” and offer the least comfortable ride. There is no possibility of getting a flat, but because these tires are treaded, most likely, one day down the line, chunking will occur.
You would choose this option if you like the longevity of solid pneumatic tires, but you want to provide your operators a smoother ride than a solid pneumatic one offers. These tires are filled with a thick gel-like foam that (if punctured) will fill holes until you need tor eplace the tire. Depending on the size of the puncture, you may be able to ride on the tires for a while. These tires are the second least expensive option. Foam-filled tires don’t wear as long as solid pneumatic tires and offer a smoother ride compared to solid pneumatic tires. Due to the tires being treaded, most likely, one day down the line, chunking will occur.
You would choose this option if you want to provide your operators with the smoothest ride and you’re short-term budget conscious. Air pneumatic tires are the least expensive of the Toyota forklift tire options, and they offer the smoothest ride. However, they’re subject to flats if punctured and can offer the largest long-term expense due to often replacement. They wear the quickest tire options as well. They aren’t really subject to heavy chunking as the tire would, more likely, go flat before chunking.
You would choose this option if you want to keep your warehouse floor mark-free but need a pneumatic forklift. This is the rarest of the pneumatic tire options, but it does exist. Since pneumatic forklifts are mostly used outdoors, unless you wash your tires after coming back inside, one day your operators are bound to pick something up and get it stuck in the tire, which can turn them into marking tires. The solid part in solid pneumatic tires means that the tire is made from solid rubber. The solid tires wear the longest out of all the pneumatic tires, but they have no “give” and offer the least comfortable ride. There is no possibility of getting a flat, but because these tires are treaded, most likely, one day down the line, chunking will occur. Non-Marking tires are more expensive than black or gray marking tires and wear faster, but they won’t mark up your floor.
Cushion tires perform the best when on smooth surface applications like in warehouses or on loading docks. These tires are made of smooth solid rubber and are fitted around metal bands. Cushion tires offer superior performance in small spaces thanks to their smaller turn radius.
You would choose this option if you don’t want to leave marks on your warehouse floor and if you are staying indoors in a dry environment. Smooth tires wear longer and have a lower risk of chunking compared to treaded tires. Non-Marking tires are more expensive than black or gray marking tires and wear faster, but they won’t mark up your floor.
You would choose this option if you’re OK with leaving marks on your warehouse floor and if you are staying indoors in a dry environment. Again, the smooth tires wear longer and have a lower risk of chunking compared to treaded tires. Marking tires are less expensive than black or gray marking tires, and they wear slower, but they will leave marks on your floor.
Non-Marking Treaded
You would choose this option if you don’t want to leave marks on your warehouse floor, and if your application calls for going outside (on paved surfaces only) or if you are working in an environment where the tires can get wet. Treaded tires wear faster than smooth ones and have a higher risk of chunking compared to smooth tires, but the treads provide needed stability for outdoor and wet environments. Non-Marking tires are more expensive than black or gray marking tires and wear faster, but they won’t mark up your floor.
You would choose this final option if you’re OK with leaving marks on your warehouse floor and if your application calls for going outside (on paved surfaces only) or if you are working in an environment where the tires can get wet. Treaded tires wear faster than smooth ones and have a higher risk of chunking compared to smooth tires, but the treads provide needed stability for outdoor and wet environments. The marking tires are less expensive than non-marking tires and wear slower.
