Forklift operators are often on the trucks more than 7 out of 8 hours a day in some forklift companies. Operators will be asked to constantly load and unload trucks all day long. Many of these operators do not need to consult with supervisors very often, neither do they have to deal with paperwork. Sometimes they are doing the same job during the shift for the duration and they don't even need to move the forks to adapt to various loads. These operators usually find the forklift counterbalance sit-down models more efficient and comfortable.
Some warehouse facilities have a lot of space for forklifts to maneuver and operate in. In these situations, a 4-wheel electric or engine-powered lift truck remains an essential player in the warehousing fleet.
Other facilities are packed to capacity however with limited space for forklift maneuverability. These facilities may have shipping departments and staging areas to work out of. In this particular situation, a stand-up end control or a 3-wheel electric lift truck model may appear to be a wiser alternative.
Depending on your specific application and environment you are working in, you can then determine how to choose the right truck and select the right tire. Next is a brief profile to show you the kind of tire choices offered.
Cushion Tire Trucks - The cushion tire has been specifically designed for use on both asphalt or concrete surfaces. More commonly, they are specified for indoor work in manufacturing facilities, distribution centres and warehouses. Typically cushion tire forklifts are smaller than similar capacity pneumatic units; thus, they normally cost less. This makes their resale value a lot lower also.
Pneumatic Tire Trucks - On improved surfaces, the pneumatic tire forklift can work outdoors and indoors as long as these surfaces comprise hard-packed dirt or blacktop and stone. Rough terrain locations such as severely potholed lots or plowed fields are not ideal. The trucks are equipped with a larger frame. Usually, pneumatic tire trucks are more expensive compared to cushion tire units. When it comes to resale, usually the pneumatic models provide higher value. This is in part due to the large amount of maneuvering space they offer and their overall surface versatility.