Tire Types
Usually, cushion tires are solid tires that have no tread pattern. They are mainly designed to be used on smooth and solid surfaces, typically indoors. There are tread patterns available though, that are a lot suitable for different surface environments. The cushion tires are common on smooth warehouse floors and in similar applications.
On the other hand, pneumatic tires require air and have been particularly designed for outdoor use on uneven ground and loose surfaces. Pneumatic truck tires have higher ground clearance as well. This raises the forklift's center of gravity and greatly reduces its rated lift capacity. Most often, pneumatic tires are used in rough terrain environments due to their ability to navigate uneven surfaces in a smoother fashion. Many construction sites and agricultural or mining operations rely on these tires in order to make certain the machine is able to travel as safe and carefully as possible.
Lift height and Lift Capacity
It is essential to understand the maximum dimensions and weight of the loads you will be handling in order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed. As well, you should know the maximum fork height required to be able to rack or stack the loads. These factors, the lifting height as well as the load size, greatly affect the lift capacity of the truck. A bigger size load can move the center of gravity of the vehicle and change the load combination. This reduces the lifting capacity of the equipment as well as affects the height and the load being lifted. Using various types of attachments can also affect the truck's overall capacity.
Mast Options
On the market today are several different choices of forklift masts. These include: quad, triple, double and single masts. The number indicated the amount of sections on the mast. In different circumstances, you would not be required to make any choices since the lift height would dictate the type of mast you would get, although, in trucks with very high lift heights, you can have a choice.