How to choose the right forklift tyre?

Your workplace conditions form the foundation for making the right choice. Surface types determine whether you need smooth or treaded patterns - indoor warehouses with polished concrete floors demand different solutions than outdoor yards with rough terrain. 

Temperature extremes affect rubber compounds and performance characteristics. Cold storage facilities require compounds that remain flexible, while hot manufacturing environments need heat-resistant materials to prevent premature tread wear. 

Consider the presence of oils, chemicals, or debris that could compromise safety. Heavy loads combined with frequent starts and stops create different stress patterns compared to lighter, continuous operations. Ground conditions such as slopes, uneven surfaces, or moisture levels directly influence the grip and stability requirements for your specific application.

Material-handling tyres come in several technologies, each engineered for particular operating environments and designed to deliver specific advantages. Discover the different tyre types and find the best one for your needs.

Industrial pneumatic tyres encompass several constructions designed for outdoor use and uneven surfaces. This family primarily includes bias (diagonal) and radial tyres.

Radial tyres

Radial tyres employ plies of metal or fabric that run straight from bead to bead, combined with a crown reinforcement made of several steel belts. This construction decouples sidewall flex from tread movement and concentrates reinforcement where it matters most: across the tyre crown.  
 
Discover radial pneumatic tyres key benefits:  

• High mileage resulting in low cost per hour  

• Best traction on all types of surfaces  

• Designed to increase resistance to heating, making radial tyres suitable for the most demanding highload and high-speed applications

Bias tyres

Bias tyres are constructed from multiple fabric plies laid one upon another at alternating diagonal angles from bead to bead. Each ply crosses the one immediately beneath it, a configuration that is why bias tyres are also known as diagonal‑ply tyres.  
 
Bias tyres deliver key benefits: 

• A robust pneumatic tyre for rough industrial use

• High stability and enhaced traction

• Operator comfort

• Cost-effective long-term investment

In demanding material‑handling environments, non‑pneumatic tyre solutions offer a reliable alternative to traditional air‑filled tyres.

Solid Tyres

Solid tyres come in two main constructions: resilient and Press‑On (also called Cushion).

Resilient Solid tyres

Resilient tyres are manufactured from multiple layers of distinct rubber compounds. Their typical construction comprises an abrasion‑resistant tread layer for durability, a softer middle layer that absorbs shocks and reduces internal tyre temperature, and a heel layer with steel bead reinforcements to ensure a secure fit on the wheel.  
 
This layered design delivers three clear advantages:  

• Puncture free - Suitable for harsh environment  

• No air pressure maintenance  

• Designed to provide high mileage with a low cost per operating hour. 

Press On Solid tyres – Cushion tyres

Press‑On (also called Cushion press) tyres consist of a rubber tread bonded to a cylindrical steel band and are mounted by press fit onto a steel hub.  
 
The key benefits of  Press tyres:  

• Puncture free tyre 

• Maintenance free 

• Designed for high stability 

• Designed for high load carrying capacity 

Polyurethane tyres

Polyurethane tyres are non‑pneumatic solutions constructed from a polyurethane elastomer bonded to a metal wheel or insert; they combine durability with consistent performance on warehouse floors and industrial surfaces.

Non‑marking rubber tyres are specially formulated to prevent black marks on indoor floors while delivering the durability and performance required in industrial environments. Ideal for warehouses, logistics areas and sensitive surfaces (strict cleaning regimes, floor aesthetics), these tyres are available in several technologies (mainly polyurethane or solid constructions) and help reduce cleaning costs and premature floor wear.

Understanding your forklift’s maximum load capacity is key to choosing the right tyres. Always follow the manufacturer’s load limits and tyre load ratings—exceeding them can reduce stability, speed up tyre wear, and raise the risk of failure.

How to determine the correct load capacity for forklift tyres? 

Determining the correct load capacity for forklift tyres is essential for safety, tyre life, and operational reliability.  To determine the correct load capacity, you will need to:  

• Gather forklift machine data (forklift model, lifting capacity - for small (1-9 tons), medium (9-18 tons) forklifts and heavy-duty forklifts (>18T), load center, etc.)  

• Define maximum in-service weight 

• Estimate axle weight distribution

What impact does the weight of the forklift itself have on tyre selection? 

The forklift’s tare weight contributes to total axle loads even without payload. Heavier machines need tyres with higher static load ratings and stronger construction. Add the weight of attachments, counterweights or modifications when calculating required tyre capacity.

To correctly identify a tyre’s size and specifications, you could refer to the manufacturer’s recommended size or/and check/read the tyre’s sidewall. It is important to choose the right forklift tyre size to avoid premature tread wear and tyre failure, loss of road-carrying performance, decreased operator safety, etc.