Lift truck operators are often on the trucks more than 7 out of 8 hours per day in some forklift companies. Operators would be asked to constantly unload and load trucks all day long. Many of these operators do not need to consult with supervisors very often, nor do they need to deal with paperwork. Occasionally they are doing the same job during the shift for the duration and they don't even need to move the forks to adapt to different loads. These operators usually find the counterbalanced sit-down models of forklifts much more effective and comfortable.
Maneuvering space depending on the location, some facilities have a lot of space in which lift trucks and machinery could operate in. In these situations, a 4-wheel electric or engine-powered forklift remains a major player in the warehousing fleet.
On the other hand, other facilities are packed to capacity. These facilities can have staging areas and shipping departments that provide limited space for forklift maneuverability. In this particular situation, a stand-up end control or a 3-wheel electric forklift model could seem to be a wiser choice.
Depending on your specific use and environment you are working in, you could then determine how to pick the right truck and pick the correct tire. Next is a short profile to show you the kind of tire choices available.
Cushion Tire Trucks - These particular trucks are utilized and designed for use just on asphalt or concrete surfaces. More commonly, they are specified for indoor application inside warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers. Usually cushion tire forklifts are smaller compared to similar capacity pneumatic models; hence, they normally cost less. This makes their resale value a lot less as well.
Pneumatic Tire Trucks - On improved surfaces, the pneumatic tire lift truck can operate outdoors and indoors as long as these surfaces include hard-packed dirt or stones and blacktop. Rough terrain locations like for example really plowed fields or potholed lots are not ideal. The trucks are equipped with a bigger frame. Usually, pneumatic tire trucks are more expensive compared to cushion tire models. With regards to resale, normally the pneumatic models provide higher value. This is in part due to the huge amount of maneuvering space they offer and their overall surface versatility.