In choosing the right Forklift Tire and Compound, the following things must be taken into account: kind of fuel utilized; average weight of load; average length of your run; types 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 average speed and the top speed of your forklift
To be able to describe various attributes of tires, there are some particular terms which are utilized. It can help to know what they mean. The term Durometer refers to the hardness of forklift tires. The range is typically from 83 to 95, the number increasing with the hardness of the tire. Most of the tires made nowadays fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
Softer tires give the driver a more comfortable ride. They are recommended for applications which need frequent maneuvering because they provide better traction. They are can better tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses which require long runs and maximum speed, soft tires are not recommended. They are made of softer compounds that tend to heat up and wear more quickly than hard tires.
For applications that need high speed, long runs and multiple shifts, it is best to have harder tires. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they would 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 provide less resistance.
For general applications, it is suggested to use Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires that combine various advantages.