Kinds of Tires
Cushion tires are usually considered solid tires with no tread pattern. These tires are designed for indoor solid and smooth surfaces. There are tread patterns available however, which are more suitable for different surface environments. The cushion tires are common on smooth warehouse floors and in similar applications.
Pneumatic tires on the other hand will need air and are made specifically for loose surfaces on uneven ground. The pneumatic tire provides a higher ground clearance over solid tires. This raises the center of gravity of the forklift and really lessens its rated lift capacity. More often than not, pneumatic tires are utilized in rough terrain environments because of their ability to negotiate uneven surfaces in a smoother fashion. Many agricultural or mining applications and construction sites depend on these tires so as to make certain the machine is able to travel as safe and carefully as possible.
Lift Capacity and Lift Height
In order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed, it is essential to know the maximum dimensions and weight of the loads you would be handling. Moreover, you must 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, really affect the lift capacity of the truck. A larger size load can move the vehicle's center of gravity and change the load combination. This decreases the lifting capacity of the machine as well as affects the height and the load being lifted. Utilizing various attachments can also affect the truck's overall capacity.
Mast Options
On the market these days are several different options 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 needed to make any choices as the lift height would dictate the type of mast you will get, however, in trucks with really high lift heights, you could have a choice.