To be able to help you select the right Forklift Tire and Compound, we will ask you to think about the following factors: kind of fuel used; weight of your typical load; length of your typical run; kinds of issues you are having; kind 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 which describe different characteristics of tires. It could help to know what they mean. The term Durometer means the hardness of forklift tires. The range is typically from 83 to 95, the number increasing with the hardness of the tire. The majority of the tires manufactured nowadays fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The driver can have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are preferable for applications which need frequent maneuvering since they provide better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses requiring 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 than hard tires.
Harder tires are recommended for use needing multiple shifts, long runs and high speeds. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they would last longer and wear better. Hard tires give a less comfortable ride and are less forgiving of floor debris. They tend to be more energy efficient as they offer less resistance.
For general applications, it is better to utilize Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires that combine various advantages.