In several forklift corporations, the operators are normally on the trucks 7 out of 8 hours a day. They are always loading and unloading trucks the whole day. Many of these operators do not need to check with supervisors very often, neither do they have to deal with paperwork. Sometimes they are doing the same task during the shift for the duration and they don't even have to move the forks to adapt to various cargo. These operators normally find the counterbalanced sit-down models of forklifts much more efficient and comfortable.
Some warehouse facilities have a lot of space for forklifts to operate and maneuver in. In these situations, an engine powered or 4-wheel electric forklift remains a major player within the warehousing fleet.
On the other hand, other facilities are crammed to capacity. These facilities might have shipping departments and staging areas which offer limited room for forklift maneuverability. In this particular situation, a stand-up end control or a 3-wheel electric forklift units could appear to be a better choice.
Depending on your specific application and environment you are working in, you could then determine how to choose the correct truck and choose the correct tire. Next is a short profile to show you the type of tire choices available.
Cushion Tire Trucks - The cushion tire has been specifically designed for use on both concrete or asphalt surfaces. Usually, they are specified for indoor work in manufacturing facilities, distribution centres and warehouses. Typically cushion tire forklifts are smaller than similar capacity pneumatic models; hence, they normally cost less. This makes their resale value much less also.
Pneumatic Tire Trucks - On improved surfaces, the pneumatic tire lift truck could operate indoor and outdoors as long as these surfaces consist of hard-packed dirt or blacktop and stone. Rough terrain areas such as really plowed fields or potholed lots are not ideal. The trucks are equipped with a bigger frame. Normally, pneumatic tire trucks are more expensive compared to cushion tire units. With regards to resale, generally the pneumatic units provide higher value. This is in part due to the large amount of maneuvering space they offer and their overall surface versatility.