​The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Foam Filled Tires

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​The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Foam Filled Tires

​The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Foam Fil…

3rd Feb 2019

Question: What are foam filled tires and when should they be considered as an option?

Foam filled tires are usually created through foam filling whereby pneumatic tires are filled with a polyurethane liquid that eventually solidifies to give the tires a synthetic rubber core.

If you happen to use your forklift for construction work where your forklift tires are likely to be punctured due to sharp objects or nails then foam filled tires are definitely worth checking out.

I have to mention that they are a great alternative to solid tires and come with many advantages. However they also have their several disadvantages.

Advantages of Foam Filled Tires

  1. They will save you from downtime usually experienced when it comes to using pneumatic tires in external or construction environments due to punctures.
  2. They give the forklift operators an easy time when it comes to maneuvering the forklift in rough environments thereby increasing their efficiency.
  3. They add more weight to the forklift making it more stable during operation. This can go a long way in safeguarding the safety of the forklift operator, especially in rough and bumpy terrains.
  4. The consistency in their air pressure when done to manufacturer’s recommendation guarantees more predictable results as they offer more of a consistent performance.
  5. They will reduce your cost of operation as they do not need regular maintenance compared to pneumatic tires a fact that also makes them long-lasting.

Disadvantages of Foam Filled Tires

  1. They don’t come with the rebound effect that is common to pneumatic tires, therefore, they are much harder on the rims and wheel bearings.
  2. They offer a much smaller footprint which means less traction which can affect your operations.

Conclusion

Clearly foam filled tires are more helpful in external environments. They will save you a ton of maintenance costs, offer more stability, and less downtime. Although you should be aware that they can cause damage to the rims and offer much less traction compared to the pneumatic tires.