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...application everything it comes to tires. The secret to successful tire selection is fitting the tire to its intended use. Knowing which tire to use, when, can protect your vehicle investment, avoid costly downtime and keep operations running smoothly.
Unfortunately, tires often rank at the bottom of the list of priorities for a material handling manager. They are one of the most overlooked components on a powered vehicle. Lift trucks, reach trucks, order pickers and other vehicles used in distribution centers and manufacturing facilities run relentlessly, ensuring the flow of product through the facility. The role of tires in this process is underestimated, and they are rarely, if ever, examined.
It seems the forgotten tire is only considered when there's a problem, such as a puncture. Taking a more active look at the way tires are used in a facility can help prevent these costly problems in the first place.
The small industrial tire is the only source of cushioning and support for a lift truck and its loads. If a lift truck is equipped with the wrong tires for the application, the result is vehicle damage, reduced equipment life and increased maintenance costs.
When armed with knowledge about the type of tires available for specific applications and the science behind tire performance, material handling managers can protect their equipment investment and save money by replacing tires less often. The right tire for the right application will keep vehicles and materials moving.
Types of Tires
There are primarily three types of tires used in material handling applications: smooth, solid press-ons (also called cushion tires); pneumatic-shaped solids; and pneumatics. Load wheels, also called outrigger wheels, stabilize the load on pallet trucks and reach trucks.
In the U.S., 70% of tires in material handling are press-ons, while the remaining 30% are pneumatic or solid, according to Joe Pauli, market manager at Continental Tire North America Inc. (Charlotte, N.C.)
Press-on tires, consisting of a metal ring with rubber or polyurethane bonded to it, are pressed onto...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos
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