Choosing the right tyre type for your forklift fleet can have a significant impact on productivity, safety and operating costs.
It’s important to not only understand how your business operates, but also to be aware of key considerations when selecting the right tyre for your applications.
Factors to consider when choosing forklift tyres:
The 3 main factors that have a direct bearing on which forklift tyre is best suited to your operations are:
- The type of forklift.
- The conditions the forklift is operating in.
- How the forklift is being operated.
In most cases this assessment can initially be done by a trusted forklift or tug truck advisor to ensure you receive the correct information.
It is also typical for a trusted advisor to undertake a site survey which will allow them to provide a more in-depth evaluation of the operating surroundings and recommend the most suitable tyre compound, profile and size for your forklift.
Some examples of evaluation criteria used in a site survey include:
- Forklift specifications
- Surface conditions
- Number of loads and lift frequency
- Number of shifts
- Travel distance and speeds
- Weight and type of materials being transported
- Turning circle space
- Considerations such as non-marking tyres to eliminate black compound marks
Benefits of making the right tyre choice:
The correct choice of forklift tyres will provide multiple benefits including:
- Productivity
Selecting a correctly sized and profiled tyre will enable the forklift to lift and transport loads with the least resistance and wear, increasing productivity.
A reduction in downtime can also be achieved by choosing a more durable tyre, reducing the risk of punctures and premature replacement through excessive wear. - Safety
A key benefit from selecting the right tyre is the handling performance. The right tyres will allow the forklift to be more responsive when braking, lowering the risk of potential accidents in the workplace.
Also, the correct choice of tyres will reduce the chances of the forklift slipping on the floor surface and loads becoming unstable during transit. - Cost reduction
The durability of a tyre can provide considerable cost benefits. A higher quality tyre can last considerably longer than cheaper options, however, this is dependent on its application.
There are 3 basic types of forklift tyres:
- Pneumatic
These air-filled tyres are normally fitted to larger forklifts and provide a more cushioned ride than solid tyres. They are suited to indoor and outdoor applications where the work area is free of sharp objects. - Resilient
Comprising of solid rubber, these are the most common tyre type in the UK for counterbalanced forklifts. Resilient tyres are puncture proof and therefore a popular choice for construction sites, timber yards and indoor/ outdoor warehouses. - Press on band
These are made from high-performance, natural rubber compounds moulded to a rubber band. These are primarily suited to medium intensity applications including indoor and loading dock applications.
Toyota provides a complete tyre care package offering tyre replacement, account management and a range of quality tyres for all applications.
