Tire Types
Normally, cushion tires are solid tires which have no tread pattern. They are mostly designed to be used on solid and smooth surfaces, usually indoors. There are tread patterns available however, that are more suitable for different surface environments. The cushion tires are common on smooth warehouse floors and in similar applications.
However, pneumatic tires require air and have been particularly made 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 really lessens its rated lift capacity. Most often, pneumatic tires are used in rough terrain environments due to their ability to negotiate uneven surfaces in a smoother manner. Many construction sites and agricultural or mining applications rely on these tires in order to make sure the equipment is able to travel as safe and carefully as possible.
Lift height and Lift Capacity
It is important to understand 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 would have to know the maximum fork height needed so as to rack or stack the loads. These factors, the load size as well as the lifting height, really affect the lift capacity of the truck. 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 load being lifted and the height. Utilizing various types of attachments can also affect the truck's overall capacity.
Mast Options
On the market nowadays are various choices of forklift masts. These comprise: quad, triple, double and single masts. The number indicated the amount of sections on the mast. In different circumstances, you would not be needed to make any choices as the lift height would dictate the kind of mast you will get, although, in trucks with very high lift heights, you can have a choice.