Lift trucks are available in many different shapes and sizes, and each type of forklift uses a unique set of tires. In general, tires are classified as pneumatic or cushion, although distinctions extist within those categories. Pneumatic tire and cushion tire forklifts have different types of frames, so they are not interchangeable.

While your tires are tough and durable, they have to be changed out every now and then. Raymond West distributes tires for all sorts of lift trucks at highly affordable prices.

Cushion Tires

At times referred to as Press On Tires, this sort of tire is primarily used inside, and occasionally outdoors on even surfaces. Cushion tires have a shorter diameter than other sorts of forklift tires, and thus possess a narrower turning radius. This makes them ideal for narrower circumstances such as warehouse aisles. Fixating a cushion tire onto a lift truck wheel requires a hydraulic press.

As part of the press on tire categorization, there exist two general types:

Rubber Cushion Tires: Rubber cushion tires are often used inside or on level surfaces outside such as concrete or asphalt. They are made from solid rubber, molded around a solid steel band. This type of tire can be smooth or have a tread. Often the forward tires will have a tread while the back wheels used for steering are smooth.

Polyurethane Cushion Tires: Solid poly tires can hold larger loads than rubber tires, and they are ideal for narrow aisle applications, order pickers and other warehouse jobs. These lightweight tires are more resistant to tearing, chunking, and splitting when compared to rubber, and they can survive up to twice as long as rubber with proper maintenance.

Pneumatic Tires

Solid pneumatic and pneumatic tires are often used outdoors, and are better suited for rough or uneven surface materials as opposed to press on tires. They possess noteworthy traction and higher clearance with the ground meaning they are suited for uneven terrain.

Regular Pneumatic Tires: This kind of pneumatic is pumped up with air, and is designed for very rough surfaces where shock absorption is important, both for the lift truck’s longevity and the comfort of the operator. The one concern about regular pneumatic tires is that they are susceptible to punctures, and sometimes they are filled with foam instead of air to reduce flats.

Solid Pneumatic Tires: Solid pneumatic tires are optimized for smooth surface indoor / outdoor heavy duty applications. Built from solid rubber and basically puncture proof, they are the best option for environments with pointy objects, such as recycling yards or construction sites.

Non Marking Tires

Non-marking options are available for pneumatic, solid pneumatic, and solid tires. These are constructed using hydrated silicas and other additives to prevent leaving black marks on floors.

These varieties of tires are often used in retail facilities or any places where clean floors matter. They are likewise used in some industrial or food processing plants where cleanliness and dust reduction are factors.

There are some detractors to using non-marking tires. The first is that sometimes they don’t have the durability of other tires and will need to be replaced more often. A second complication is that they experience static electricity buildup, and a forklift that has them must be equipped with static abatement options.

Forklift Tires Near Me

When properly maintained, your forklift tires can decrease energy usage, dramatically improve the comfort of operators, and boost your overall productivity. To talk to a forklift tire advisor, call Raymond West today!

Raymond West's Los Angeles facility serves much of Los Angeles County, including Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, La Mirada, Downey, Pico Rivera, Los Angeles, Montebello, El Monte, Rosemead, Alhambra, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Westmont, Gardena, Torrance, Carson, San Pedro, La Habra, City of Industry, Walnut, Inglewood, Hawthorne and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Los Angeles Forklift Dealer

9939 Norwalk Blvd
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 944-8067