To be able to help you select the correct Forklift Tire and Compound, we would ask you to think about the following factors: type of fuel utilized; standard weight of load; standard length of your run; kinds of problems you are having; kind of surfaces the forklift runs on; whether or not your forklift operates over dock plates; number of shifts and percentage of time the forklift is loaded; and the average speed and the top speed of your forklift
To describe various attributes of tires, there are some specific terms that are used. It can help to know what they mean. The term Durometer means the hardness of forklift tires. The range is usually 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 offer the driver a more comfortable ride. They are preferable for operations that need frequent maneuvering as they offer better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For uses requiring maximum speed and long runs, soft tires are not suggested. They are constructed of softer compounds that tend to heat up and wear faster compared to hard tires.
Harder tires are recommended for use requiring high speed, multiple shifts and long runs. 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 have the tendency to be more energy efficient as they offer less resistance.
For general applications, it is better to utilize Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires that combine a lot of advantages.