Frequently Asked Questions F.A.Q. - Find Your Answers Below: Cushion Vs. Pneumatic Forklift Tires Cushion tires are used for indoor applications and pneumatic tires for outdoor. Cushion tires are made for smooth warehouse surfaces or light outdoor use. Pneumatic tire forklifts have greater ground clearance than cushion tire trucks, so you can move around a lot better over gravel and other rough surfaces. There are two kinds of pneumatic tires: air or solid rubber. Air pneumatics are similar to tires used on cars and other passenger vehicles. Solid pneumatics are the same size as air pneumatics, but are made of solid rubber. Solid pneumatics are typically used in areas with a lot of debris. Specialty Forklift Tires Fiberglass - Friction causes tires to heat up when used for long periods or over long distances. Polyurethane - When a forklift moves extremely heavy loads only short distances, polyurethane tires are a better choice than rubber. Static-resistant - Some manufacturing facilities deal with materials that are highly combustive or explosive. Cold-prepped - Temperature has a huge impact on the performance and life of forklift tires, and the cold is no exception. Cement and flat surfaces can easily build up ice causing slippage. Avoid cheap tires! Lower-quality tires break down far faster than higher-quality products. When to Replace Forklift Tires As a general rule, when there is less than one inch from the lettering on the tires to the top of the tires, it is time to change the tires. Did you know: after a tire has worn 40%, the forklift and the driver will absorb over 84% of the shock if it's being run over a rough surface. The transmission has to work much harder to turn the tires the same amount of rotation, which can result in a breakdown. Changing tires is an inexpensive way to keep your forklift and operator in good condition! What are Gel, AGM and SLA / sealed lead acid batteries? Gel cell or sealed lead acid batteries have basically the same chemistry as conventional wet or “flooded cell” batteries. The battery electrolyte is in a gelatin form (GEL) or is absorbed into a glass matt (AGM). The battery is then sealed with epoxy. They are exceptionally leak resistant and may be used in any position, but cannot be re-hydrated when they eventually begin to dry fail. Applications include UPS devices, emergency lights, and wheelchairs. These batteries contain 2 volts per cell with common voltages of 4, 6, and 12 volt. They are not recommended for use in deep cycle or forklift applications. The five most common reasons for Premature Battery Failure Low water levels · From our experience, this is the number one cause of battery failure. 2. Over Charging and Opportunity Charging · Industrial batteries are typically designed to last at least 1,500 charge cycles, over a five to fifteen year period. Each time you charge a battery, regardless of how long, it constitutes one cycle. 3. Over watering · Commonly occurs as a reaction to low water levels, but is a major problem unto itself. 4. Failing to Equalize Charge · Batteries should receive an Equalize Charge once every 10 cycles. 5. Corrosion · Batteries should be rinsed or washed at least once per year to prevent corrosion. 1