Tire Types
Normally, cushion tires are solid tires that have no tread pattern. They are mainly designed to be used on smooth and solid surfaces, normally indoors. There are tread patterns available though, that are more suitable for various surface environments. The cushion tires are common on smooth warehouse floors and in similar applications.
However, pneumatic tires need air and have been specifically made for outdoor use on uneven ground and loose surfaces. Pneumatic truck tires have higher ground clearance too. This raises the forklift's center of gravity and greatly lessens its rated lift capacity. More often than not, pneumatic tires are utilized in rough terrain environments due to their ability to navigate uneven surfaces in a smoother manner. Lots of mining or agricultural applications and construction sites depend on these tires to be able to make certain the machine is able to travel as safe and carefully as possible.
Lift height and Lift Capacity
It is essential to understand the maximum dimensions and weight of the loads you will be handling in order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed. Additionally, you must know the maximum fork height required to be able to stack or rack the loads. These factors, the load size and the lifting height, really affect the lift capacity of the truck. A bigger size load could move the center of gravity of the vehicle and change the load combination. This reduces the lifting capacity of the equipment as well as affects the load being lifted and the height. Using various kinds of attachments could also affect the truck's overall capacity.
Mast Options
On the market today are several different options of forklift masts. These comprise: single, double, triple and quad masts. The number indicated the amount of sections on the mast. In various circumstances, you will not be needed to make any choices because the lift height would dictate the type of mast you would get, although, in trucks with really high lift heights, you may have an option.