Tires are an essential part of your operation, but it’s often something we only think about occasionally. Choosing the right tires can impact your performance and productivity. At Quality Equipment we carry a variety of tire brands, but we typically use Widetrack for our cushion tires and Nexen for our solid pneumatic tires. Not sure which is right for your fleet? Find more about the types of tires and their features below.

Cushion vs. Pneumatic Tires

Forklifts are often classified as either cushion-tire or pneumatic. There are many other distinctions and varieties, like electric forklifts, but the two most common are cushion-tire forklifts and  pneumatic forklifts. This classification is based on the type of tire used.

Cushion Tires

Cushion tires are completely solid, dense rubber tires and are pressed into a metal rim. These are durable and low-maintenance when used indoors on smooth surfaces. They are known for their tight-turn radiuses, making them great for indoor applications like warehouses and manufacturing facilities.

Pneumatic Tires

Pneumatic tires are filled with air, rather than a solid, and are fitted to a rim. These have a deep tread and can handle outdoor applications and rough terrain. The air makes for a smoother ride across the uneven ground, perfect for places like lumber yards, construction sites, ports, and more.

Marking vs. Non-Marking Tires

Both solid pneumatic and cushion tires come in marking and non-marking varieties, however it is much more common among cushion tires, as they are more likely indoors. Determining which is right for you depends on the needs of your warehouse. 

Marking Tires

Marking tires are darker, typically black or dark gray, and can leave marks indoors on the flooring. If most of your use is outdoors, marking tires are no big deal. These are a more affordable option, so if you do use your forklifts indoors but aren’t too concerned with marks on the warehouse floor, this is a great way to cut a cost.

Non-Marking Tires

While non-marking tires can be more expensive, they make cleanup and maintenance much easier when it comes to the floors of your warehouse. If you’re frequently on showroom floors or want to keep up the appearance, these are a great option for your fleet.

Smooth vs. Traction Tires

Smooth Tires

Smooth tires are just what they sound like: a smooth and flat surface. This comes with paired-down traction, but allows for tighter turns and smaller spaces. A great fit for those smooth even surfaces.

Traction Tires

Traction tires have a much thicker tread and texture, allowing for a smooth ride across that bumpy and uneven ground. They help push through that tougher terrain and can handle the ups and downs.

Tire Services

Tires can be a hassle when they have issues. Trust us, we get it. We offer three service solutions to help you solve any tire-related issues.

On-Site Tire Press

In most of our seven locations, we have a tire press on-site to help fit solid tires, like cushions. A tire press uses hydraulic force to mount a solid tire onto a rim.

On-Site Tire Changing Machine

We have a tire-changer in each location, which have a broader use. These are used to put on or take off tires filled with air. This can be used for pneumatic tires, as well as tires for your lawn mower, tractor, and more. 

Mobile Tire Truck  

Don’t want to load up your equipment? Don’t have a trailer to do so? We’ve got you covered with our mobile tire truck. We’ve got you covered with a variety of tire needs, whether it's swapping out what you currently have, repairing it, or filling them up. Reach out to schedule a visit from our tire truck here!

Tires keep your operation rolling, literally. We carry it all, from forklifts and beyond. Our experts know how to help with tires and beyond. Reach out to our parts department today if you have any questions on how we can help.

Quality is who we are. Equipment is what we do.