single tires made of polyurethane (PU)
When selecting a suitable pallet truck, the intended use is of course crucial. In addition to the load capacity and lifting height, you should also consider the tires. Because not all tires are the same - depending on the type of ground and the load, pallet truck rollers made of different materials or combinations of these are recommended in order to optimally meet the respective requirements. Here we present the three most common roller materials and their respective properties.
Polyurethane (PU): The classic all-rounder
Polyurethane rollers are the classic choice when it comes to pallet truck tires. They can be used universally because they combine the elastic and smooth-running properties of rubber with the robustness and chemical resistance of hard plastics.
The essential properties of polyurethane
- Quiet and stable running
- Low rolling resistance
- Light rubber-elastic properties (shock-absorbing, floor-protecting)
- High temperature resistance
- low wear
- Durable
- abrasion-resistant
- contact discoloration free
- Good resistance to oils and fats as well as some acids and alkalis
A pallet truck with PU tires, such as the FIVE , is also suitable for changing ground conditions, e.g. if the pallet truck is to be used outside the warehouse in the yard. The polyurethane rollers with their hard-wearing yet shock-absorbing properties are ideal for this type of use.
However, the metal frame can rust when used outdoors in damp conditions and deformation can occur due to high impact loads on uneven floors.
Nylon (polyamide): For the highest demands
Polyamides, more commonly known by the non-trademarked term nylon, are thermoplastics. Nylon rollers are characterized by their very low rolling resistance, their long service life even under regular high loads and their high chemical resistance to aggressive media.
The advantages and properties of polyamide rollers
- Very low rolling resistance
- Extremely durable and low-wear
- break-resistant
- Corrosion-resistant
- High temperature resistance
- Hygienic
- Non-marking / abrasion-resistant
- contact discoloration free
- Very good resistance to many acids, alkalis, oils and fats
- For use on hard and smooth floors
A pallet truck with nylon tires, such as the FIVE-N , is ideal for use wherever particularly heavy loads need to be moved regularly, as nylon is break-proof and extremely resilient. The very low rolling resistance also helps to ensure that the loaded goods move smoothly. Nylon is also easy to clean, odorless and extremely abrasion-resistant, making it ideal for use in hygienic areas such as the food or pharmaceutical industries.
Due to the relatively high surface pressure and material hardness, nylon is only suitable to a limited extent as a running surface on soft or pressure-sensitive floors (such as tiles). It should also be noted that the harder the material of the pallet truck rollers, the higher the noise emissions during operation.
Solid rubber: Comfortable and safe driving behavior
Solid rubber tires have a higher rolling resistance than polyurethane or nylon rollers. This is due, among other things, to the better grip and elastic properties of solid rubber, which minimize the transmission of shock and vibration to the loaded goods and ensure that the pallet truck runs smoothly.
The essential features of solid rubber tires
- Good grip, even on uneven, wet and slippery surfaces
- Very quiet driving
- High temperature resistance
- Shockproof
- Smooth and stable driving behavior
- High chemical resistance to many aggressive media
- soil-friendly
A pallet truck with rubber tires, such as the FIVE-R , is particularly suitable in situations where you want to reduce noise to a minimum, e.g. when loading goods at night. Likewise, for applications where special grip is required, only a pallet truck with solid rubber wheels is suitable. This is the case, for example, on uneven floors, outdoors in damp conditions or when used on ramps. A pallet truck equipped with rubber tires is therefore ideal as a device to be transported on trucks, for example.
Solid rubber is highly resistant to many aggressive substances, but only to a limited extent to oils and greases. Furthermore, rollers made of solid rubber must be replaced more often than rollers made of harder material, as they wear out more quickly in comparison.
Single or tandem tires?
In the area of pallet trucks, you will sooner or later come across the two terms "single" or "tandem". Pallet trucks are either equipped with single tires, or in the standard version often with tandem tires. This means that one (single) or two (tandem) rollers are installed under the forks of the pallet truck. These two variants in turn ensure different characteristics in the handling of the pallet truck.
single tires
Single fork rollers are mostly used on flat floors. Since only one roller is installed under each fork, single pallet trucks are somewhat more maneuverable than those with tandem tires. It is also easier to pick up Euro pallets sideways with single rollers than with tandem tires.
Advantages of single roles
- One roller per fork
- Ideal for use on flat floors
- More maneuverable than tandem tires
- Simplifies the cross-loading of pallets
tandem tires
The term tandem tires describes the number of rollers per fork on a pallet truck. Two rollers are therefore installed under the forks of a pallet truck with tandem tires. Pallet trucks with double rollers have different properties than pallet trucks with single tires. The rollers can be made of different materials and are particularly suitable for use on uneven floors, when overcoming speed bumps and the like, as the weight of the load is distributed across several rollers. This leads to a smoother and more stable running of the pallet truck and of course also reduces the wear on the individual rollers.
Properties of tandem tires
- Tandem tires have a decisive advantage - they provide more stability. They are particularly suitable for use on uneven surfaces or specifically for driving over speed bumps.
- The tandem tires also ensure particularly smooth and stable running. This is important for the safety of the goods, especially when transporting heavy weights.
- The weight of the load is distributed over two more rollers than with single tires. This reduces the individual load on each wheel, which in turn minimizes wear on the individual rollers.
Advantages of tandem roles
- Two rollers per fork
- Suitable for flat and uneven floors
- High stability and particularly smooth running
- Less wear on the individual rollers
Find the right pallet truck
Find the right pallet truck for your purpose interactively by answering a few questions. You will receive a suitable offer within 24 hours - free of charge and without obligation. Start your test now!
