TIP OF THE MONTH - Getting the most from your forklift tyres

Selecting the right tyres for forklift machinery is paramount for achieving peak performance and efficiency.
Below are some tips to get the most from your forklift tyres:

Selecting the Right Tyre for the Right Application
Equipping forklifts with tyres specifically built for their intended application and purpose ensures you are getting the most from your machine. The best place to start is to select a tyre with the right type of construction—either pneumatic, solid, or press-on.

• Pneumatic forklift tyres are inflated with air.  Pneumatic tyres are ideal for applications where forklifts will travel long distances and face minimal puncture threats. 
• Resilient solid tyres are made of solid rubber. They’re best for both indoor and outdoor applications that demand puncture protection. 
• Press-on band tyres are solid tyres made of a single rubber compound fused to a steel band. These tyres are mostly designed for indoor applications where the need for stability is paramount. 

Additionally, there are several tyres available to meet varying intensity applications, depending on the demand and use of the forklift and tyres:

•  Maximum Intensity: These are forklifts used in a high use application and for long periods of time. Our recommended tyre of choice would be the Trelleborg XP1000 solid tyre or Trelleborg TR900 tyre.
• Medium Intensity: For medium use applications and all-round performance, the Trelleborg XP800 solid tyre or Trelleborg T-900 are a good fit for this purpose.
• Low Intensity: For low use vehicles and where quality is not substituted for price, our Trelleborg XP700 solid tyre or Mitas FL-08 are a good choice.

 
Regular Inspection / Tyre Maintenance
Regular tyre inspections as important to catch a potential issue early and save significant costs and downtime.  When inspecting a forklift’s tyres, look out for some of the following: 

• Splits and cracks 
• Chunking and tearing 
• Flat spots 
• Uneven wear
• Tyre pressure (Pneumatic Tyres)

 
Getting the Most from My Tyres
Forklift tyres are frequently removed before they are needed, especially when dealing with solids. According to our estimates, tyres are typically replaced 20% early than they should be, which results in higher expenses, worse performance, needless downtime, and overall decreased productivity. To counter this, Trelleborg created "Pit Stop Line," a wear indicator that is visible beneath the tread and becomes visible when a tyre has to be changed. All Trelleborg XP1000, Elite XP, and PS1000 solid tyres are designed with this feature included.

Through our industrial business, Interfit we offer a full range of services including onsite service through mobile press or exchange wheels, fleet management and reporting and a wide product range for any application and use. Talk to one of our experts for any of your forklift or industrial needs.