Tire Types
Cushion tires are generally considered solid tires with no tread pattern. These tires are made for indoor solid and smooth surfaces. There are tread patterns available though, that 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 specially made 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 really lessens its rated lift capacity. Most often, pneumatic tires are used in rough terrain surroundings because of their ability to negotiate uneven surfaces in a smoother fashion. Many mining or agricultural operations and construction sites rely on these tires to be able to make certain the machine can travel as carefully and safe as possible.
Lift height and Lift Capacity
It is essential to understand the maximum weight and dimensions of the loads you will be handling in order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed. Also, you would have to know the maximum fork height needed to be able to rack or stack the loads. These factors, the load size as well as the lifting height, greatly affect the lift capacity of the truck. A larger size load can move the center of gravity of the vehicle and change the load combination. This decreases the lifting capacity of the equipment and affects the load being lifted and the height. Utilizing various attachments can also affect the truck's overall capacity.
Mast Options
On the market today are several different options of forklift masts. These include: single, double, triple and quad masts. The number indicated the amount of sections on the mast. In different circumstances, you would not be needed to make any choices since the lift height would dictate the type of mast you will get, although, in trucks with really high lift heights, you may have an alternative.