Choosing the right tire for your needs: Cushion vs Pneumatic
When choosing the right forklift for your operations, there are many factors to consider in order to make the best choice for your financial investment. However, one that may be overlooked is the type of tire. To decide which type – cushion or pneumatic – would work better for you, it’s important to understand the differences and benefits of each.
Generally speaking, forklifts are made to host specific tire types and specific tire types are meant for certain applications. When shopping for a new lift truck, you need to decide what your main use(s) will be for it. Will it mainly be used indoors or outdoors? Will it be used on smooth ground or rough terrain? Typically forklifts can not host interchangeable tires, and you may end up choosing a different forklift than you originally planned or thought based on the tire type.
Cushion Tires
Cushion tires are well suited for indoor use, on loading docks, or light outdoor use. They are made of solid rubber fitted around a metal band – making them cheaper to manufacture and easier to maintain. This type of tire does not have as much traction as pneumatic, but they are smaller in size which makes them a great option in settings like factories and warehouses with less space as they have a small turning radius.
Pneumatic tires are comparable to car or truck tires. They offer high performance and versatility while providing strong grip on rough terrain. Pneumatics can be solid rubber or air filled. The solid pneumatic is ideal for construction sites and lumber yards as they cannot be punctured by sharp metal scraps or nails, etc. Air filled work well in outdoor settings such as yards or on gravel.
If you’re still unsure which tire, or forklift, is right for you – please contact us and our expert team will help you make an educated decision.