Used Cushion Tire Forklift Pomona - Forklift trucks are commonly classified by the kind of work they complete as well as the kind of tire they use. The two types of tire classification for forklifts are:
1. Cushion; and
2. Pneumatic.
There are drawbacks and benefits to both pneumatic and cushion forklift tire options. 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. 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. These tires are designed to maneuver well within tight locations, due to their specific turning radius. Cushion tires also allow the forklift to sit closer to the ground. The advantage of a lower forklift is the increased vertical clearance when compared to forklifts with pneumatic tires. 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 difference between these two pneumatic categories is that the first is made entirely of rubber, while the latter is a layered rubber, filled with air.
Pneumatic tire forklifts are good options for work that takes place outdoors on unpaved ground. 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 type of forklift that utilizes cushion tires are for mainly inside applications with some limited outside use. Cushion tire forklifts are commonly used in warehouses and manufacturing plants. 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
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
Powered by electricity instead of relying on an internal combustion engine enables cushion tire forklifts to make zero dangerous emissions.
Forklift Tire Choice
The forklift frame typically depicts whether a cushion tire or a pneumatic tire will be utilized. Axles and tires are specific to a forklift frame and lifting capacity. Forklift manufacturers create models that safely operate with certain tires and wheels, typically pneumatic tires or cushion 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
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. Although, cushion tire forklifts offer less ground clearance, this can cause damage to outdoor obstacles when the surface is uneven or unclear. To combat this issue, the cushion tire forklift can be fitted with traction tires on the front. Tires that offer traction will perform better on wet surfaces, rough terrain, 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.
The smaller turning radius on the cushion tire forklifts is one of their main advantages. This makes cushion tire forklifts ideal for warehouses and manufacturing facilities that have less space. Areas that are designed with narrow aisles such as warehouse facilities will enjoy the tighter turning radius offered with cushion tire forklift models. Cushion tire forklifts are more cost-effective and available compared to pneumatic tire models.
Suitable Work Applications for Pneumatic Tire Forklifts
Pneumatic tires forklifts have air in them and are better for outdoor use such as in yard work or on gravel. 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. Pneumatic tire forklifts are longer and wider than cushion tire forklifts which is why they are primarily used outdoors.
The solid pneumatic tire costs more compared to the air pneumatic tire. The solid pneumatic tire is comprised of solid rubber without any air inside, making this type more resilient against gouges or punctures. These solid pneumatic tires are best for scrap yards and lumber yards where the possibility of running over sharp metal scrap and debris, such as nails, in greatly increased. 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. Since air-filled tires deliver a bouncy sensation, they contribute to operator fatigue and discomfort. It is possible to foam fill the pneumatic forklift tires for a smoother ride. This provides a smoother ride for the operator than the one experienced on solid pneumatic tires but also a less bouncy ride than air filled pneumatic tires. Foam filling is commonly used for flat tire prevention. It takes roughly three days to fill and cure an air pneumatic tire with foam.
Difference in Load Capacity
The load capacity of cushion tire forklifts and pneumatic tire forklifts are about equal. 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. There are numerous load capacities ranging from less than 2000 pounds to more than 200,000 pounds.
Cushion Tire Forklift PDF
