In order to help you choose the right Forklift Tire and Compound, we will ask you to think about the following things: type of fuel used; weight of your standard load; typical length of your run; types of problems you are having; kind of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether 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 be able to describe different characteristics of tires, there are some specific terms which are utilized. It is helpful to know what they mean. The term Durometer means the hardness of forklift tires. The range is usually from 83 to 95, the number would increase that depends on the hardness of the tire. Most of the tires made these days fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The driver could have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are preferable for operations which need regular maneuvering as they provide better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses that need long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not suggested. They are made of softer compounds which have the tendency to heat up and wear more quickly compared to hard tires.
For use which need multiple shifts, high speed and long runs, 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 are less forgiving of floor debris and give a less comfortable ride. They tend to be more energy efficient as they provide less resistance.
For general applications, it is recommended to use Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires that combine various advantages.