Forklift Tires
Forklifts are known by many names: fork trucks, lift trucks or forklift trucks. Regardless of the name, the forklift has become one of the most necessary and widespread industrial truck machines. Used to transport loads over short distances with speed and ease has earned the forklift a place in every warehousing and manufacturing operation.
As with numerous other inventions, forklifts were developed out of necessity. The Clark Company, involved in the industry of axles, designed an early version of the forklift in 1917, which they called a ‘Tructractor’. It was a vehicle they used to perform daily tasks around their factory. As people came to visit, the potential and great utility of the tructractor became evident, and soon enough orders were placed on the Clark Company to build such trucks for others. Soon enough the trucks were updated to feature hydraulics to improve lifting power. The fork and elevated mast, developed in 1923 by Yale, further improved the trucks and became the first ever design that present-day forklifts posses.
Production of forklifts spurred after the start of World War II, as more of them were needed to support the war effort. The end of the war introduced new needs, such as more compact and maneuverable forklifts that could reach higher and navigate warehouse isles with ease. The 1950s and 1960s saw new designs that catered to the safety of forklift operators, such as driver cages and back rests. Further developments introduced changes to warehouses and factories, such as narrower isles and flooring that doesn’t wear out forklift tires too easily.
One of the main characteristics of forklifts is the rear-wheel steering, which makes the driving experience of such machine different from traditional wheeled vehicles. Due to the fact that caster action is lacking, rear forklift tires can in fact maintain a rate of turn that is constant, even without applying steering force.
Another aspect of forklifts that makes them such flexible machines is the variety of attachments they can use. A huge number of updates and work tools can be equipped on a forklift and enable work on various jobs. The extra utility is granted by attachments, such as:
- Added scales – operators sometimes need to measure the weight of the cargo, and the scales update make this possible.
- Fork positioning – normally the space between forks is set, but this update allows moving them together or apart, without the need to adjust manually.
- Slip sheet clamp – this attachment allows the forklift operator to clamp slip sheets and draw them near the forks in order to transport them.
- Barrel clamp – kegs, paper rolls and barrels may sometimes slip through the forks. With this attachment, which is used to grip the items, such risk is minimized.
Forklifts should undergo regular maintenance, if they are to work within optimal parameters and not experience downtime. One of the parts that should receive most attention is forklift tires. The tires usually experience the most impact from the load and the nature of the work that forklifts are usually involved in. The more worn the forklift tires are, the less smooth the work will go, which translates to slower pace and less than desirable performance. A work area that is debris-free is not always guaranteed, so the only solution is to ensure that the tires are of top quality. There is always the risk of flats, which lead to downtime and situations that cause delays. To minimize that risk, you should be on the lookout for top-tier forklift tires.
McLaren Industries have you covered in that regard. The Nu-Air solid cushion forklift tires are all you will ever need for smooth work with your machine. It is the Semi-Pneumatic Technology™ that makes these tires so special. They feature two types of compounds – one tough that is used on the outside, and an inner core made of softer compound for a smooth ride. Combining the strengths of puncture-resistant features with the cushioning effect is a sure recipe for success! These forklift tires provide 4-5 times more work hours and eliminate the risk of flats. They are the top choice for any work project, as they contribute to greater lifting ability and more traction. Going with McLaren’s forklift tires can easily maximize the potential of any forklift.