In selecting the best Forklift Tire and Compound, the following things must be taken into account: kind of fuel utilized; weight of your standard load; standard length of your run; types 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 top speed and the normal speed of your forklift
To be able to describe different attributes of tires, there are some specific terms which are used. It is helpful to know what precisely 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. Nearly all of the tires made today fall within a couple of standard industry classifications.
The operator can have a more comfortable ride if the tires are softer. They are preferable for operations which need frequent maneuvering because they provide better traction. They are better able to tolerate driving over floor debris. For applications that require maximum speed and long runs, soft tires are not recommended. They are constructed of softer compounds which have the tendency to heat up and wear more quickly compared to hard tires.
Harder tires are recommended for use needing multiple shifts, long runs and high speeds. They are better than soft tires for maximum loads, and they would last longer and wear better. Hard tires are less forgiving of floor debris and give a less comfortable ride. They tend to be more energy efficient because they offer less resistance.
For general applications, it is better to utilize Universal Compound tires. These are all-around tires that combine various advantages.