Forklift Tire Types

To solve different forklift applications, the industrial tire manufacturers have developed specialized types of tires. Unfortunately, terminology varies by region and industrial tire specialists making this more confusing. Even the word tire has two different spellings (tire vs. tyre). This is explained below.

Forklift Tire Types (Summary)

  1. Solid Forklift Tire Types more

    • Rubber Press-On - solid black rubber bonded to a steel band
    • Non-Marking Rubber Press-On - solid non-marking rubber bonded to a steel band
    • Polyurethane Press-On - solid polyurethane bonded to a steel band
    • Solid Pneumatic - solid black rubber formed around a steel cable/rod core
    • Non-marking Solid Pneumatic - solid non-marking rubber formed around a steel cable/rod core

  1. Pneumatic Forklift Tire Types more

    • Bias Pneumatic - nylon or kevlar ply cords that wrap diagonally from bead to bead (casing) with black rubber vulcanized to casing
    • Radial Pneumatic - steel ply cords wrapped at 90 degrees from direction of travel from bead to bead (casing) with black rubber vulcanized to casing
    • Non-Marking Pneumatic - nylon or kevlar ply cords that wrap diagonally from bead to bead (casing) with non-marking rubber vulcanized to casing

  1. Specialty Forklift Tire Types more

    • Polyurethane Load Wheels - polyurethane bonded to a steel core
    • Polyurethane Casters - polyurethane bonded to a steel core or moulded steel wheel
    • Polyurethane Stabilizing Casters - polyurethane load wheel attached to a swivelling assembly

Forklift Tire Types (Details)

1. Solid Forklift Tire Typestop

Common Name (Link) Alternative Name Construction Application
Rubber Press-On Cushion

solid black rubber press-on forklift tireSolid black rubber bonded to a steel band
  • Inside warehouse/manufacturing on smooth floors
  • Occasional use on smooth asphalt
  • Traction option for wet surfaces
Non-Marking Rubber Press-On Non-Marking Cushion

solid non-marking rubber press-on forklift tireSolid non-marking rubber bonded to a steel band
  • Inside warehouse/manufacturing on smooth floors
  • Normal application is food industry
  • Traction option for wet surfaces
  • Does not leave black marks from hard cornering and acceleration or deceleration
Polyurethane Press-On Polyurethane Cushion

polyurethane press-on forklift tireSolid Polyurethane bonded to a steel band
  • Higher load capacity than equivalent rubber press-on
  • Inside warehouse/manufacturing on smooth floors
  • Traction option for wet surfaces and freezer applications
Solid Pneumatic Resilient Tire

solid pneumatic black rubber resilient forklift tireSolid black rubber formed around a steel cable/rod core
  • Flat proof alternative to pneumatic tires
  • Uses same wheel as pneumatic tire
  • Inside/outside warehouse/manufacturing on uneven surfaces
Non-Marking Solid Pneumatic Non-Marking Resilient Tire

solid pneumatic non-mark rubber resilient forklift tireSolid non-marking rubber formed around a steel cable/rod core
  • Flat proof alternative to pneumatic tires
  • Uses same wheel as pneumatic tire
  • Inside/outside warehouse/manufacturing on uneven surfaces
  • Does not leave black marks from hard cornering and acceleration or deceleration

2. Pneumatic Forklift Tire Typestop

Common Name (Link) Construction Application
Bias Forklift Tire

non-marking forklift tireNylon or kevlar ply cords that wrap diagonally from bead to bead (casing) with black rubber vulcanized to casing
  • Inside/outside warehouse/manufacturing on uneven surfaces
  • More economic that radial tires
  • Best for short transit runs at lower speeds
  • Bias (or cross-ply) allows the entire tire body to flex easily, providing a smooth ride on rough surfaces
  • More tread options including standard, extra deep, rib and smooth treads
  • Best traction on rough surfaces and snow
Radial Forklift Tire

radial forklift tireSteel ply cords wrapped at 90 degrees from direction of travel from bead to bead (casing) with black rubber vulcanized to casing
  • Inside/outside warehouse/manufacturing on uneven surfaces
  • Reduced fuel consumption (less rolling resistance)
  • Less heat generation leading to longer tire life
  • Best for long transit runs at higher speeds
  • Best traction on rough surfaces and snow
Non-Marking Bias Forklift Tire

non-marking forklift tireNylon or kevlar ply cords that wrap diagonally from bead to bead (casing) with non-marking rubber vulcanized to casing
  • Inside/outside warehouse/manufacturing on uneven surfaces
  • Normal application is food industry
  • Does not leave black marks from hard cornering and acceleration or deceleration

3. Specialty Forklift Tire Typestop

Common Name (Link) Construction Application
Polyurethane Load Wheels

poly load wheelPolyurethane bonded to a steel core
  • Higher load capacity
  • Inside warehouse/manufacturing on smooth floors
  • Resistance to corrosion from solvents & chemicals
Polyurethane Casters

poly casterPolyurethane bonded to a steel core or moulded steel wheel
  • Higher load capacity
  • Often molded to a larger cast steel wheel
  • Inside warehouse/manufacturing on smooth floors
  • Resistance to corrosion from solvents & chemicals
Polyurethane Stabilizing Casters

poly stabilizing casterPolyurethane load wheel attached to a swivelling assembly
  • Used opposite drive/steer wheel on narrow aisle forklifts to stabilize rear of machine
  • Replaceable load wheel on self adjusting swivelling assembly
  • Inside warehouse/manufacturing on smooth floors
  • Resistance to corrosion from solvents & chemicals

Send us a message

captcha antivirus image

Please enter the letters and/or numbers in the captcha image in the AntiSpam field (case insensitive).

Your information is confidential and will not be shared.

Other ways to reach us

  Social Media Links

FaceBook

LinkedIn

Google

Yellow Pages