To help you choose the best Forklift Tire and Compound, we will ask you to consider the following things: kind of fuel used; weight of your standard load; length of your typical run; types of issues you are having; type 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 top speed and the normal speed of your forklift
There are specific terms that describe different characteristics of tires. It can help to know what they mean. The term Durometer refers to the hardness of forklift tires. The range is normally from 83 to 95, the number increasing with the hardness of the tire. Nearly all of the tires manufactured these days fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The driver can have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are recommended for applications that require frequent maneuvering as they provide better traction. They are could better tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses requiring long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not suggested. They are constructed of softer compounds which tend to heat up and wear faster than hard tires.
For use that 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 will wear better and last longer. Hard tires are less forgiving of floor debris and give a less comfortable ride. They have the tendency to be more energy efficient since they offer less resistance.
For general applications, it is better to use Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires which combine various advantages.