How To Read Heavy Duty Forklift Tire Size Markings
A heavy duty forklift specification sheet may list tire sizes such as:
9.00-20-18PR
14.00-24
16.00-25
For buyers who do not work with industrial tires regularly, these numbers can be difficult to interpret.
They are not simply model numbers. The markings describe important information about the tire's dimensions and construction.
What Does 14.00-24 Mean?
Using 14.00-24 as an example:
14.00 refers to the nominal tire section width in inches.
The "-" is commonly used for a cross-ply or bias-ply construction.
24 refers to the nominal rim diameter in inches.
This does not mean the actual mounted tire will measure exactly 14 inches wide. Actual dimensions can vary according to tire design, manufacturer, rim and operating conditions.
What Does PR Mean?
Some forklift tires also include a marking such as:
18PR
PR means Ply Rating.
It is a strength classification for the tire carcass.
Modern ply ratings should not be interpreted literally as the number of physical fabric layers inside the tire. Tire materials and construction have changed, so PR is better understood as an indication of carcass strength.
For heavy duty forklifts, this matters because the tires need to support substantial axle loads.
Why Do Larger Forklifts Use Larger Tire Sizes?
As forklift capacity increases, machine weight and axle loading generally increase as well.
For example, a smaller heavy duty forklift may use a tire specification such as 9.00-20, while larger-capacity machines may use sizes such as 14.00-24 or 16.00-25.
However, tire size should not be selected from forklift capacity alone.
The final specification also needs to consider:
- axle load
- tire load rating
- travel speed
- working surface
- tire layout
- duty cycle
This is why two forklifts with similar rated capacities do not necessarily need exactly the same tire.
Tire Size And Tire Type Are Different Questions
Tire size should also not be confused with tire type.
A customer may first need to decide whether pneumatic or solid tires are more suitable for the working environment.
After that, the correct size and load specification still need to match the forklift.
For example, sharp metal debris may influence the choice between pneumatic and solid tires, while axle load and chassis configuration influence the required tire dimensions and rating.
Read The Tire Together With The Forklift
At Propolift, tire specification is considered together with axle load, machine weight, working surface and forklift configuration.
When comparing heavy duty forklift quotations, buyers should therefore avoid looking at tire size as an isolated number.
The important point is not simply whether one forklift has a "bigger tire."
It is whether the tire specification is suitable for the load the machine places on it and the environment where the forklift will work.