Tire Types
Generally, cushion tires are solid tires that have no tread pattern. They are mostly made to be used on solid and smooth surfaces, normally indoors. There are tread patterns available however, that are more suitable for various surface environments. The cushion tires are common on smooth warehouse floors and in similar applications.
However, pneumatic tires require air and have been specifically designed for outdoor use on loose surfaces and uneven ground. Pneumatic truck tires have higher ground clearance also. This raises the forklift's center of gravity and greatly lessens its rated lift capacity. More often than not, pneumatic tires are used in rough terrain surroundings because of their ability to negotiate uneven surfaces in a smoother fashion. A lot of agricultural or mining applications and construction sites depend on these tires so as to make certain the machinery is able to travel as carefully and safe as possible.
Lift height and Lift Capacity
It is vital to know the maximum dimensions and weight of the loads you will be handling in order to determine the capacity of the vehicle needed. As well, you will have to know the maximum fork height needed so as to rack or stack the loads. These factors, the load size and the lifting height, really affect the truck's lifting capacity. A bigger size load is able to move the center of gravity of the vehicle and change the load combination. This reduces the lifting capacity of the equipment as well as affects the height and the load being lifted. Utilizing different types of attachments can also affect the overall capacity of the truck.
Mast Options
There are lots of different choices of masts available on the market. Like for instance, there are single, double, triple and quad, the numbers indicate how many stages or sections the mast has. In various circumstances, you would not be required to make any choices as the lift height will dictate the type of mast you will get, however, in trucks with very high lift heights, you can have a choice.