Tire Types
Normally, cushion tires are solid tires which have no tread pattern. They are mainly designed to be used on smooth and solid surfaces, usually indoors. There are tread patterns available however, which are more suitable for different surface environments. The cushion tires are popular on smooth warehouse floors and in similar applications.
On the other hand, pneumatic tires need air and have been specifically designed for outdoor use on uneven ground and loose surfaces. Pneumatic truck tires have higher ground clearance too. This raises the center of gravity of the forklift and greatly reduces its rated lift capacity. More often than not, pneumatic tires are utilized in rough terrain surroundings due to their ability to negotiate uneven surfaces in a smoother manner. Numerous construction sites and mining or agricultural operations rely on these tires in order to make sure the machine could travel as safe and carefully as possible.
Lift Capacity and Lift Height
In order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed, it is important to know the maximum weight and dimensions of the loads you will be handling. Also, you would need to know the maximum fork height required so as to rack or stack the loads. These factors, the load size and the lifting height, greatly affect the truck's lifting capacity. A larger size load could move the vehicle's center of gravity and change the load combination. This decreases the lifting capacity of the machine and affects the height and the load being lifted. Using different kinds of attachments can also affect the overall capacity of the truck.
Mast Options
On the market today are various choices of forklift masts. These consist of: quad, triple, double and single masts. The number indicated the amount of sections on the mast. In different circumstances, you would not be required to make any choices since the lift height would dictate the type of mast you would get, although, in trucks with very high lift heights, you may have a choice.