Types of Tires
Cushion tires are normally considered solid tires with no tread pattern. These tires are designed for indoor smooth and solid surfaces. There are tread patterns available however, which are a lot suitable for various 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 specifically designed for outdoor use on loose surfaces and uneven ground. Pneumatic truck tires have higher ground clearance as well. This raises the center of gravity of the forklift and greatly lessens its rated lift capacity. More often than not, pneumatic tires are used in rough terrain environments because of their ability to negotiate uneven surfaces in a smoother manner. Numerous construction sites and agricultural or mining operations depend on these tires so as to make certain the machinery could travel as carefully and safe as possible.
Lift Capacity and Lift Height
In order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed, it is vital to know the maximum weight and dimensions of the loads you will be handling. Also, you must know the maximum fork height required so as to rack or stack the loads. These factors, the lifting height as well as the load size, really affect the truck's lifting capacity. A larger size load can move the center of gravity of the vehicle and change the load combination. This decreases the equipment's lifting capacity and affects the load being lifted and the height. Using various attachments can also affect the overall capacity of the truck.
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 various circumstances, you will not be required to make any choices since the lift height will dictate the type of mast you will get, however, in trucks with very high lift heights, you may have an alternative.