SOLID TYRES OR PNEUMATIC TIRES ?

SOLID TYRES or PNEUMATIC INDUSTRIALS..?

The most common type of solid tyres are referred to in differents names: 

Resilient tyres, 

Pneumatic-solids, 

Solid-pneumatics, 

Pneumatic-shaped-solids, 

Super-elastic tyres, 

Cushion tyres, etc.

But they all refer to the same breed, well almost. 

The Solid Resilient Tyres of present times are designed to replace pneumatic tyres, for good: and these tyres can be fitted on wheels originally designed for pneumatic tyres, provided the wheel is a flat-base or a split type, which in any case are the most commonly used types in forklifts and other material-handling equipment.

The load carrying capacities of solid tyres are superior: so, it is not always necessary to replace size for size when the vehicle is being changed from pneumatics to solid tyres. For instance, a lO.OO-2O solid tyre can successfully replace an 11.00 x 20 pneumatic tyre.

Solid Tyres commonly available in the market go well with all types of paved floors: in industries, warehouses, large testing facilities, airport tarmacs and wharfs of sea ports. There are even special variants of solid tyres for more demanding applications like rough terrain, hot-n-explosive areas, oil-spilt terrain, etc. 

As a solid tyre does not deflect as much as a pneumatic, the ground clearance would not be affected. From a wear point of view also, there is a definite advantage in fitting a solid tyre in place of a pneumatic tyre.  Solid tyres wear out more predictably and can be safely re-grooved till full tread is worn out, of course with a little compromise on safety.  Where the true economics come in is the COMPLETE ABSENCE OF PUNCTURES, BLOW-OUTS AND GENERAL TYRE MAINTENANCE, hence greater productivity and greater uptime for forklifts. 

Further as solid tyres have a considerably superior load carrying capacity, they offer greater stability and safety. A point not often considered is that if pneumatic tyres are under inflated they will absorb considerably more power in order to move. This applies to both electric and internal combustion powered machines. 

Whereas, solid-tyred machines, over a period, show a saving on "fuel" costs due to the fact that power absorption is constant. 

Use a PNUEMATIC TYRE, only if: -- distance of travel on job is very long, say, exceeding 15 kilometers. -- floor conditions are very bad with lots of pot-holes / trenches. -- speed of the vehicle is very high, i.e., exceeding 20 Kilometers per hour (kmph). 

Normally for forklifts and material-handing equipments, the max. recommended speed is only 15 Kmph., in which case, solid tyres are more suitable.