In selecting the best Forklift Tire and Compound, the following things should be taken into consideration: type of fuel used; typical weight of load; typical length of your run; kinds of problems you are having; type of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether your forklift operates over dock plates; percentage of time and number of shifts the forklift is loaded; and the top speed and the normal speed of your forklift
To describe different attributes of tires, there are some particular terms that are used. It could help to know what exactly 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. The majority of the tires manufactured 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 recommended for operations which need frequent maneuvering as they offer better traction. They are can better tolerate driving over floor debris. For applications requiring long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not recommended. They are made of softer compounds that tend to heat up and wear faster compared to hard tires.
Harder tires are suitable for applications requiring multiple shifts, long runs and high speeds. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they will wear better and last longer. Hard tires give a less comfortable ride and are less forgiving of floor debris. They tend to be more energy efficient since they offer less resistance.
Universal Compound tires combine advantages and are suggested as all-around tires for general applications.