Forklift tires

Traction battery design

At the moment, many tire designs for loaders have been created, but three types are most widely used:

• pneumatic tires consist of a multi-layered diagonal frame; a steel core; a sidewall that is reinforced with several rigid reinforcing layers to increase lateral strength;
• solid cast (superelastic, white tires) – structurally consist of an outer tread layer, an intermediate shock-absorbing layer and an inner layer that serves to fix the tire on the rim;
• bandage tires are a monolithic rubber array that is firmly fixed to a steel rim (bandage) by chemical means.

When choosing tires, it is important to take into account three factors: the air temperature at which the equipment will be used; features of the road surface – soil, a flat floor optionally covered with industrial waste (metal shavings, sawdust, etc.) or a raised or inclined surface; load capacity.

Pneumatic tires are considered the best choice for loaders in most cases when the equipment is operated mainly on uneven surfaces and in off-road conditions. The main advantages of solid cast tires are high resistance to wear and resistance to punctures and damage. But, in comparison with pneumatic analogues, they are characterized by high rigidity, so they have a low indicator of shock-absorbing properties.

Bandage tires are very rigid, since the thickness of the shock-absorbing layer is minimal, so they are the most demanding on the quality of the coating. Wear-resistant, almost undamaged and quite expensive.

Industrial tires are designed for a limited driving distance. For solid-cast tires, the average speed should not exceed 5 km/h with an average load of 75% of the maximum. For pneumatic tires, this value is 10 km/h under the same conditions. The load, pressure, and speed values for tires are valid for an ambient temperature of 20 °C.

If the tires are used in conditions of medium load, medium speed, ambient temperature exceeding 20 °C and at a distance of more than two kilometers per trip, the operating conditions should be carefully studied to ensure that the operating temperature of the tire remains within acceptable and safe limits.

The working condition of tires, chambers, and rim belts largely depends on proper care, transportation, and storage. For these products are harmful: exposure to oxygen, ozone, light, heat, organic solvents, mineral oils, lubricants, fuels, acids; prolonged contact with corrosive objects and prolonged one-sided loads, kinks, accumulation of products on each other, support of products on uneven surfaces with sharp protrusions. Tires must be stored in closed storage areas that must be clean, darkened, and meet fire safety requirements.