Used Cushion Tire Forklift Louisiana - While forklift trucks are often classified by the type of work they perform under most circumstances, forklift trucks can also be classified by the type of tire they are fitted with. Pneumatic and cushion tires provide the 2 distinct forklift classifications.
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 benefits and potential drawbacks of the cushion tire models can only be compared when the pneumatic benefits and drawbacks are equally discussed.
Forklift Tire Classifications
Cushion Tires
Cushion tires feature solid rubber that is either smooth or treaded and fixed or positioned around a baseband or metal ring. These types of forklift tires are easier to maintain and less expensive to manufacture. Cushion tires are designed for smooth surface applications such as work that takes place mostly indoors or around loading docks. Cushion tires are also better suited to applications in tight spaces. This is because they offer a turning radius that allows for movement around tight corners. 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. Pneumatic tires provide better traction compared to cushion tires; especially on wet surfaces and outdoor locations.
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 have two categorizations as either solid resilient pneumatic or standard air pneumatic. They are popular for rough terrain applications and uneven surfaces.
The solid resilient pneumatic tires are comprised entirely of rubber and the standard air pneumatic tires feature a layered rubber design filled with air.
Pneumatic tire forklifts are good options for work that takes place outdoors on unpaved ground. The solid resilient pneumatic forklift tires are best used in areas such as lumber yards or junkyards and construction sites where there may be sharp metal items on the ground which could puncture the tires.
Benefits of Cushion Tire Forklifts
Forklifts fitted with cushion tires are a good option for operation on smooth surfaces, both indoor and outdoor. The forklift designed for use with cushion tires, is intended to be used mostly indoors, with some limited outdoor use. Cushion tire forklifts are commonly used in warehouses and manufacturing plants. 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
Forklifts built for indoor use with cushion tires generally have a lower clearance than pneumatic tire equipment, allowing the forklift to more easily navigate doorways and other obstacles such as lights and sprinkler systems.
3) Durability
Durability is a key feature with cushion tire forklift models as they are simple to maintain and offer zero to little risk of being punctured.
4) Quiet
Most cushion tire forklift models use a fuel cell or battery as opposed to an internal combustion engine and are much quieter compared to their diesel or propane counterparts.
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
Most forklift frames only allow for either a cushion tire or a pneumatic tire. Tires and axles are specific to the lifting capacity and the machine’s frame. Most forklift manufacturers design forklifts to operate safely with specific wheels and tires, namely cushion tires or pneumatic tires. Due to their special tire design, it is best to choose the forklift type that will suit the job in terms of forklift tire types.
Workplace Applications
Suitable Work Applications for Cushion Tires
There are many work applications suitable for using cushion tire forklift models. If there is moderate use of the forklift outside on smooth surfaces and the majority of the lifting, loading and transporting will be occurring inside on smooth floors, a cushion tire model is an excellent tool.
Sitting closer to the ground, cushion tire forklifts have a tinier frame compared to pneumatic tire forklifts. This gives them better clearance for fitting through doorways and avoiding overhead obstacles. 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 to this problem is to fit the cushion tire forklift with traction tires on the front of their forklifts. Traction style tires will give better traction on rough terrains like asphalt or packed gravel or wet surfaces. Traction tires are not used on dirt or grass locations and need to be installed on opposite sides, the drive and steer axles.
One of the largest advantages of using a forklift with cushion tires is the smaller turning radius. 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. Pneumatic tires can also be used inside but do not provide the advantages of low clearance, maneuverability or small turning radius. 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.
Of the two types of pneumatic tires, the solid pneumatic tire is more expensive than 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. Solid pneumatic tires are commonly used in lumber and scrap yards where there are tons of sharp, metal debris including nails. Similar to solid pneumatics, air pneumatics work well outdoors on asphalt, in gravel and in yards. The main issue with air pneumatic tires is their ability to become gouged or punctured. Because of this, it is necessary to make sure the work area is free of any sharp objects before using forklift fitted with air pneumatic tires at that site. Air tires are also known to give a bouncy ride, contributing to operator discomfort and fatigue. It is possible to foam fill the pneumatic forklift tires for a smoother ride. Much less bouncy than air-filled pneumatic tires, the solid pneumatic forklift tires provide the operator with a smoother ride. Flat tires can be filled with foam to keep them more durable and prevent flats. Filling an air pneumatic tire with foam usually takes approximately 3 days to fill and cure.
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. Load capacities come in a wide range - from less than 2,000 pounds to more than 200,000 pounds.
Cushion Tire Forklift PDF
