Why should a forklift user be concerned about tires when it comes to energy usage and lowering down his operating cost?

Most new forklifts are equipped with batteries that can last 8 hours under good conditions. As the trend for battery-equipped forklifts is growing, ensuring that one facility’s fleet can run through complete shifts without downtime due to recharge battery is key. Under less than ideal conditions, battery life can really become an issue. So small improvements can often make a significant difference in productivity.

Numerous factors play a role in determining the overall reduction of costs associated with energy savings. It often comes down to the manufacturer and the specifics of their machine. The type of lift, type of drive train, axle positioning, overall weight and vehicle dynamics all play a role and impact the final result. But underneath it all, one must remember that tires are the single most significant item in a forklift’s operating cost; every aspect of forklift operation is affected by the tires on which they run. They play an important role in maximizing battery life and forklift uptime, thus resulting in energy savings translated into lower operating costs.

WHAT ABOUT LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE TIRES?

The rolling resistance of the tires can have a major impact on battery life and, therefore, it’s a key element in preventing downtime and maximizing machine availability. Low rolling resistance (LRR) tires allow you to drive longer, lift more and this for longer periods of time.

LRR tires don’t appear different from standard tires at first sight. The difference between the two lies in the nature of the compound used and the overall make-up of the tire. When it comes to performance, the difference between an LRR compound solid tire and a standard solid tire is similar to the difference between a fully inflated pneumatic tire and one that’s underinflated. Like a properly inflated tire, an LRR compound tire rolls with less effort and utilizes less energy. LRR tires and conventional forklift tires also differ in that the optimized rolling properties of LRR tires not only reduce fuel costs but generate less internal heat in the tire. This in turn maximizes life span and durability.

INCREASED TIRE LIFESPAN

Historically, one could expect a trade-off between rolling resistance and tire life. However, the advent of new rubber compound technology now allows for impressive low rolling resistance and superior lifespan. This allows tires to perform better in high load/high cycle environments that cause thermal failure in conventional compound tires.

The new Solideal resilient (RES) series, manufactured by Camso, deliver just that. The new RES tires provide maximum lifespan within an array of different application intensities so fleet managers can optimize their investment. Hours of research and tests evaluating the criteria behind tire wear allowed Camso to find a way to build a stronger series of resilient tires.

LONGEST LASTING TIRE IN THE INDUSTRY

The Solideal RES 660 Xtreme Series tires are highly resistant to heat due to its high performing abrasion resistant tread rubber compound, which offers low rolling resistance and ensures better energy savings. It was designed for very intense applications with long runs, heavy lifting, and minimal forklift idle time.

Other than considering energy savings factors, selecting the right tire for a specific application is key to ensure the lowest operating cost. And determining the usage intensity of the application is key for tire selection. To help you assess the intensity of your forklift application and better understand your own tire requirements, Camso has developed a web-based tool that quantifies different levels of forklift application intensities, the usage intensity calculator. Fact-based, it takes into account parameters like lift capacity, working environment as well as idle, travel and maneuvering time. In a few clicks, the systems outputs a forklifts’ application intensity score and then offers a recommended tire for the application analyzed.

https://camso.co/en/article/best-practices/can-tires-leverage-your-forklift-performance