Understanding the Types of Rubber Tires Used Within the Material Handling Industry
At Stellana, we are
most well-known for our polyurethane wheels and tires, but we also manufacture

POB or Cushion Tires
Polyurethane tires fill an essential gap in the material handling industry. These tires offer superior performance to rubber in many instances. The lightweight material provides durable abrasion and wear resistance, load-bearing capabilities, and impact resistance. These dynamic properties lead to stronger resistance to splitting, tearing, and chunking in comparison to rubber. This material is only suitable for indoor use, unlike rubber, but it is known to deliver a much longer lifespan. These tires also provide excellent traction and low-rolling resistance which enhances stability and extends battery life.
Industrial Resilient Tires
Solid rubber is used
to construct solid pneumatic forklift tires. Similar to the POB tires, they
cannot be punctured or deflated. Resilient tires are not molded to a steel band
but instead are made up of a layered structure that often includes a tread
layer, cushion layer, and reinforced base.
For example, our
Elastomeric Plus tires consist of a high-performance tread, super elastic
cushion, and a hard, reinforced base. The cushion is a thick, elastic layer
that mitigates heat to extend the life of the tire. The base compound is
reinforced by staple length fibers and is extremely hard. The hardness is
achieved by the use of a special phenolic resin, which is non-thermoplastic,
thus eliminating softening during service. The steel beads used in our tires contribute
to the tire’s overall stability. The reinforcements provide strength while
allowing for flexibility to prevent the tire from rotating on the rim.
Pneumatic
Pneumatic
tires are not made or manufactured by Stellana and Elastomeric. These tires get
their name because they are filled with compressed air like car or bicycle
tires. The air-filled structure provides greater operator comfort, but at the compromise
of uptime. Solid tires significantly reduce downtime in comparison to pneumatic
tires because they cannot be deflated. Solid tires are associated with higher
upfront costs due to the increased amount of material used. With that being said,
the cost of ownership for the solid tires should be lower as they have a much longer
lifetime.
Pneumatic
tires are acceptable in indoor and outdoor applications, but only where sharp
objects are not present. Cushion tires are adequate in both indoor and light outdoor
applications – without the fear of deflation. The rubber can be made in either
traction or smooth treads, but they are best suited for flat surfaces.
Resilient tires are arguably the most durable of the three. These tires stand
up to sharp debris, making them adequate for more demanding applications.
Non-Marking Tires

How does rubber compare to polyurethane?
Polyurethane is a very dynamic material, but there are instances where rubber tires are the best choice. Poly tires do not hold up as well to rough floors, whereas rubber tires can be used in indoor and outdoor environments. Their versatility, comfort, and lower costs make them a viable choice for many applications. Common environments for resilient rubber tires include factory, distribution and manufacturing settings.
Polyurethane is a very dynamic material, but there are instances where rubber tires are the best choice. Poly tires do not hold up as well to rough floors, whereas rubber tires can be used in indoor and outdoor environments. Their versatility, comfort, and lower costs make them a viable choice for many applications. Common environments for resilient rubber tires include factory, distribution and manufacturing settings.
For care tips, tire
selection advice, or anything else, feel free to contact us at
info@stellana.com.
About Stellana
Learn more about
Stellana at https://www.stellana.com/.
Stellana has been used as a case study for my students in poly tuition
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