The reasoning behind the growth of solid tires in Material Handling 

Thursday, 17 Aug 2017 ( #834 )
Forkliftaction.com

Compared to a pneumatic tire of the same size, a solid tire on average contains three times the tread rubber. So, the initial acquisition cost is higher. However, by eliminating the potential for punctures, the cost of ownership over the life of the solid tire represents a significant financial savings for fleet owners and managers.

Solid tires avoid the constant puncture threat faced by pneumatic tires in material handling, whether it’s caused by running over ragged debris or by site-specific usage impact damage. There is also no need to monitor tire air pressure, which affects both tire wear and the forklift’s overall stability. 

This reduction in downtime and maintenance for solid tires does factor in favorably to the cost of ownership. However, the benefits even extend much further for fleet managers, who note the added safety for both operators and other on-site workers. 
All that being said, it is a logical trend that the awareness of and demand for solid tires in material handling is constantly increasing in markets around the world.

Meeting the Solid Tire challenge in a key market 

In the U.K.’s highly competitive forklift sector, providing a basic tire that exceeds market expectations is a big challenge for distributors. On the surface, it would seem virtually impossible. 

“Our forklift dealers and end-users demand market-leading performance versus cost,” explains Peter Roffey, Sales Manager, Universal Tyre & Autocenters Group. 

With its high performing and long lasting tread rubber compound, the challenge is being met by Solideal RES 330 forklift tyre manufactured by Camso. “Our forktruck dealers like the RES 330 ‘cutting-edge’ look and the new ergonomic tread pattern.” says Mr. Roffey. “They are now seeing uplift in tyre performance whilst maintaining their current cost base.” 

The customer is getting more value for the money spent, says Roffey. “For us as a supplier, it’s a win-win situation,” he says. “We are now able to offer a tyre that exceeds our customers’ expectations in this highly competitive sector.” 

Selecting the right tire begins with the right tool

A key for dealers is ensuring the forklift tire chosen is matched to demands of the end-user’s application and site. This is where Camso’s concept of usage intensity comes in. A calculation incorporating loading factors, operating hours, distance travelled per day and cycle times, usage intensity reflects the amount of heat stress inflicted on the tires by the forklift’s duty cycles. For example, greater travel time and distance will result in increased heat buildup with less cooling time. Meanwhile, heavier loads will increase friction when the forklift is in motion and subject the tires to more machine heat through the lifting cycles. The usage intensity is based on simple factors that help measure the work that the tires will perform. 

Tools like Camso’s Usage Intensity Calculator and others help guide the decision-making process and, in turn, allow users working with their dealers to maximize savings on their annual fleet tire spend. 

“Camso’s usage intensity calculator is a great tool for when I visit end-users and discuss with them their tyre requirements. It allows me to collect all of the customer’s variable data, usage rate, application and movements,” Roffey says of the U.K. market, “and then I can recommend the most suitable tire for my customers’ needs.” 

By being able to calculate Usage Intensity, there is no more guesswork required by users whose focus is often primarily and rightfully on their operations, and not necessarily on their equipment or related accessories. “Historically, when we visit end-users, we would have to ask if it was a high-, medium- or low-usage site,” says Roffey, “but Usage Intensity allows us to both simplify the process and, most importantly, ensure accuracy.” 

Camso rolls out new forklift tires

To provide maximum lifespan within an array of material-handling application intensities, Camso recently introduced three models of solid tires for forklifts:

• 

  The industry’s longest-lasting tire offering the lowest cost solution, the Solideal RES 330 is designed for low-intensity applications, where forklifts operate in confined spaces on an intermittent basis.

• With a wider profile, larger footprint and deeper lugs, the Solideal RES 550 Magnum is for medium-intensity forklift applications requiring heavier loads, but not 24/7 operation.
• With its performance compounds and low rolling resistance, the Solideal RES 660 Xtreme is highly resistant to heat in the most intense forklift applications requiring long runs, heavy lifts and minimal idle time.

This new solid tire product family is engineered by Camso to meet the unique mobility demands of any forklift and the intensity requirement of any application. Via Usage Intensity,

Camso helps match the right tire to the individual customer’s unique needs.