Both rubber and polyurethane press-on tires have unique qualities that make them more appropriate in certain circumstances and application. This page will help you select the best press-on tire for your application.
Polyurethane Press-on Tire
Polyurethane is a totally engineered plastic material, which exists in various compound mixes. Different compounds, hardness (durometer) and even grooves or sipes provide a wide range of solutions to specialized applications.
Advantages
- High load capacity
- Longer tire life
- Specialized hardness (durometer) for wider range of applications
- Lower rolling resistance; longer battery time
- Higher cut and tearing resistance
- No floor marking
- Higher chemical resistance even after long term exposure
- Widest range of sizes
Disadvantages
- Tends to flat-spot when encountering floor debris
- Heat dissipation and high speed leads to more bond failures
- Not great for outside operation
Rubber Press-on Tire
Premium rubber press-on tires are all natural rubber which disipates heat more efficently and provides longer running duration. Mid-grade and economy rubber press-on tires are a mix of natural rubbers and other compounds such as plastic. Non-premium tires are designed for lower costs and provide a lower duty cycle as the compound mixes do not dissipate the heat as well as all natural rubber tire.
Advantages
- Less expensive
- Able to absorb floor debris and irregular surfaces
- Better traction on wet surfaces
- Better heat dissipation (premium are best)
- Good outside operating if surface is flat and smooth
- Lower vibrations
Disadvantages
- Lower load capacity
- Black tires mark floors. Premium black tires produce less floor marking. Non-marking compounds help.
- Low chemical resistance, especially petro-based chemicals
- Reduced size variations
Compare the Load Capacity
Below is the load capacity comparison between polyurethane and rubber press-on (cushion) tires for common sizes. For more sizes, click on the Poly Press-on and Rubber Press on pages.
| Load Capacity (6 mph (lbs) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Size | Polyurethane | Rubber |
| 9x5x5 | 3020 | 2116 |
| 10x4x6-1/2 | 2490 | 1720 |
| 13-1/2x5-1/2x8 | 4740 | 3335 |
| 16x5x10-1/2 | 4760 | 3325 |
| 16x6x10-1/2 | 6040 | 4205 |
| 16-1/4x5x11-1/4 | 4800 | 3365 |
| 16-1/4x6x11-1/4 | 6050 | 4225 |
| 18x8x12-1/8 | 9470 | 6625 |
| 21x7x15 | 9050 | 6340 |
| 21x8x15 | 10604 | 7455 |
| 22x12x16 | 17760 | 12450 |
| 28x12x22 | 21280 | 14900 |
Data may vary by manufacturer and compound. Information is provided as a general guide only. If size is not listed, please call toll-free 604-265-1118. |
||
Buy on-line or talk with a knowledgeable industrial tire & track specialist:
Polyurethane Compounds
- Standard –General usage applications
- Soft –Wet and cold storage applications and an excellent tire for applications with lots of floor debris
- Hard –Extra Load, high speed and long duty cycle.