Every piece of mobile equipment — forklifts, telehandlers, scissor lifts, boom lifts — depends on its tires to stay stable, safe, and productive. Yet tires are often one of the most overlooked parts of a machine until they go flat, chunk apart, or cause a tip-over risk.

At Xtreme Pro Services, we replace, repair, and inspect all major types of lift and material-handling tires. Here’s what you should know about the different types, their pros and cons, and how to choose the right one for your worksite.

1. Pneumatic Tires

These are air-filled tires, similar to what you’d find on trucks or loaders.

Pros:

• Excellent ride comfort — cushion shocks from rough surfaces.
• Great traction outdoors on gravel, dirt, or uneven terrain.
• Lower upfront cost than solid tires.

Cons:

• Prone to flats and punctures.
• Require regular air pressure checks.
• Can become unstable if pressures are mismatched side-to-side.
• Shorter lifespan in sharp or debris-heavy environments.

Best for: outdoor yards, construction sites, and rough ground where comfort and traction matter most.

2. Cushion Tires

These are solid rubber tires molded around a steel band — no air, no flats.

Pros:

• Extremely durable — puncture-proof.
• Lower maintenance — no air checks or leaks.
• Smooth ride on concrete.
• Excellent for indoor use with clean floors and tight spaces.

Cons:

• Rough ride on uneven ground.
• Not suitable for gravel or outdoor terrain.
• Can wear quickly if driven on rough surfaces.

Best for: warehouses, factories, and loading docks with smooth floors and tight turning areas.

3. Solid Pneumatic Tires

These combine the toughness of solids with the comfort of pneumatics — made of solid rubber but shaped like air tires.

Pros:

• Flat-proof like a cushion tire.
• More comfortable than standard solid rubber.
• Handles light outdoor work well.
• Long service life and excellent stability.

Cons:

• Heavier — slightly more strain on drivetrain.
• Higher cost upfront.

Best for: mixed indoor/outdoor work where durability and ride comfort are both important.

4. Foam-Filled Pneumatic Tires

These start as normal pneumatic tires, then get injected with polyurethane foam — permanently sealing them against flats.

Pros:

• No flats, no downtime.
• Similar ride feel to air-filled tires.
• Adds stability by keeping pressure consistent.
• Excellent for boom lifts and telehandlers.

Cons:

• Expensive to fill or replace.
• Heavy — can affect suspension or ride height slightly.
• Once damaged, can’t be patched or reused.

Best for: aerial lifts and telehandlers working in rough outdoor conditions where downtime is costly.

5. “No-Air” or Non-Pneumatic Tires (Honeycomb Tires)

The newest generation of airless tires uses engineered polymer or rubber structures — often with a “honeycomb” or lattice design — that flex under load without air.

Pros:

• Completely flat-proof.
• Very stable under heavy load.
• Low maintenance — no pressure checks.
• Visually impressive and modern.
• Ideal for electric lifts and fleet operations where uptime matters.

Cons:

• Expensive — premium technology.
• Limited availability for some equipment sizes.
• Slightly firmer ride compared to air or foam.

Best for: high-use fleets, indoor/outdoor electric scissor lifts, and premium telehandler setups where reliability outweighs cost.

6. Why the Right Tire Type Matters for Safety

Your tires are the foundation of stability, traction, and load balance. Choosing the wrong type can cause:

• Machine instability or tipping.
• Uneven wear that affects steering or braking.
• Reduced capacity due to incorrect load ratings.
• Operator fatigue from harsh vibration.

ANSI/OSHA stability testing is based on the factory-approved tire type and size. Switching from pneumatic to cushion, or mixing brands and sizes, can change the center of gravity and make the machine unsafe — even if it still “fits.”

That’s why every tire change at XPS includes:

• Matching OEM load and size ratings.
• Torque-checked wheel hardware.
• Tire pressure or fill level verification.
• Full walk-around inspection for leaks, cracks, or dry rot.

7. Cost vs. Longevity — What to Expect

Tire Type                    Average Lifespan        Maintenance                Cost (Relative)

Pneumatic                       1–2 years                      High                                    $

Cushion                           3–5 years                      Low                                     $$

Solid Pneumatic            4–6 years                      Low                                     $$$

Foam-Filled                    3–5 years                      Low                                     $$$

No-Air (Honeycomb)   5–8 years                      Minimal                             $$$$

It’s better to spend once on the right tire than to keep patching or refilling flats. The cost of downtime usually outweighs the difference in tire price.

8. The Bottom Line

Tires do more than keep your machine moving — they keep it safe, stable, and efficient. The wrong tire can reduce lift capacity, damage axles, and put operators at risk. The right tire can extend component life, improve ride comfort, and save money over time.

If you’re not sure which tire is best for your forklift, telehandler, or lift — we can help match you with the right type for your application and environment.

Need Tire Replacement or Foam-Fill Service? From air-filled to solid, foam-filled to modern airless tires — we stock, install, and service them all. Let us help you keep your equipment running safe, stable, and flat-free.

📞 701-987-9877 🌐 xtremepro.services 📍 Serving Williston • Tioga • Watford City • Sidney • Minot

Xtreme Pro Services — Tire Solutions That Keep You Rolling.