Forklifts by Tyre Type
Choose a tyre type band to see every model in the database that matches, with the full specification for each.
Tyres decide where a truck can work. Cushion tyres are solid rubber pressed onto the wheel, sit the truck low to the ground and turn in a tighter circle, which suits smooth indoor concrete and narrow aisles. They have no give, so they punish broken surfaces and the operator who rides over them.
Pneumatic tyres are air-filled or solid-filled and carry the truck higher with a larger footprint, which is what makes yards, gravel and ramps possible. The trade is a wider turning circle and more overall width.
A truck fitted for the wrong surface wears tyres out fast, and on a forklift the tyre bill is a bigger share of running cost than most buyers expect.
Where each tyre type can work
| Tyre | Surface it suits | Turning circle | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushion | Smooth indoor concrete, narrow aisles. | Tightest. | No give at all. Punishes broken floors and the operator, and is no use on gravel or a wet ramp. |
| Solid pneumatic | Indoor work and light yard duty on made-up ground. | Wider than cushion. | Puncture-proof and long-lived, but heavier and dearer to replace than air. |
| Pneumatic (air filled) | Yards, gravel, ramps, uneven ground. | Widest. | The most forgiving ride, at the cost of punctures and pressure checks. |
| Polyurethane | Warehouse floors; pedestrian and stacker trucks. | Tight. | Low rolling resistance, so light on energy. Poor grip on a wet floor; indoor only. |
| Vulkollan | Heavy warehouse duty, reach trucks, high load per wheel. | Tight. | Very high load rating and long life. Expensive, and hard enough to mark some floors. |
A truck fitted for the wrong surface wears tyres out fast, and on a forklift the tyre bill is a larger share of running cost than most buyers expect.
This table is editorial guidance on choosing between the options, not a measurement. The specification figures for any individual truck are on its own page, each with the document it was taken from.