When to Use Pneumatic Tires

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By Doug Backinger VP of Sales

Posted on: December 28, 2016

Categories: Caster Wheels

Pneumatic tires, also known as Pneumatic wheels, are made of rubber and resemble automobile tires. They are primarily used for outdoor applications and applications where damaging flooring is a concern. The rubber composition gives Pneumatic wheels a cushioning effect which creates benefits like:

• Shock Absorption: The flexibility of the rubber, coupled with the tread design absorb some shocks, and allow the wheels to roll over surfaces that are not completely flat. Surfaces such as gravel, cracked flooring, thresholds, sidewalks, etc.
• Noise Reduction: The soft quality of the rubber essentially eliminates any noise generated by rolling these wheels. In general, the harder the wheel tread material, the louder the noise generated when rolling the wheel.
• Wont damage surfaces: Because pneumatic tires are soft, they will not damage flooring surfaces. Making them ideal for applications where something needs to be transported over wood floors, ceramic, or glass and other surfaces that are not very hard. However, while Pneumatic tires will not damage or crack flooring, they will scuff and mark up flooring. The scuff or marks can be removed fairly easily, they are not permanent.

One limitation of Pneumatic wheels is that they are not capable of carrying as much weight as similar size caster wheels. Because Pneumatic wheels are made of rubber and usually filled with air, they are limited on weight capacity.

Pneumatic wheels do not provide ergonomic benefits because they are softer and have a larger footprint due their greater width. Pneumatic wheels require greater force to start rolling and to turn, because of their greater width and larger footprint. Ergonomic performance becomes even worse if the wheels are not properly inflated.

Maintaining proper air pressure is key to the performance of Pneumatic tires, just as it is with automobile tires. This means that maintenance  is necessary, resulting in additional cost and hassle. Because these tires are made of rubber, they are susceptible to punctures, cracking, seals deteriorating and losing air. Changes in environmental temperatures can also impact air pressure in Pneumatic tires. One option to reduce the amount of maintenance required, is to fill the tires with foam, rather than air.

We offer a complete line of Pneumatic Tire / Wheel casters.