More people are choosing solid industrial tires for forklifts, skid steers and even farm equipment, according to manufacturers. They cite a variety of reasons, beginning with affordability.

On average, a solid tire contains three times the amount of tread rubber compared to a pneumatic of the same size,. Although the cost of acquisition is higher, the cost of ownership over the life of the tire represents a significant saving.

Solid tires also improve safety as there is no need to monitor air pressure, which affects both tire wear and the stability of a lift truck.

Once you start adding up the cost of ownership, reduced downtime and maintenance, and added safety, the benefits are clear and this is something most fleet operators know very well.

THE INTERNATIONAL market demands for solid tires show the continuous rising trend, according to China-based consulting and market survey firm, in its latest report, In-depth Research and Development Forecast of China Solid Tire Market, 2013-2018.

It says: “In 2012, the world’s demand for solid tires reached 393 million. In terms of the global market, Europe and Southeast Asia are the major places of production of solid tires.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka and other countries with large rubber output in Southeast Asia,have developed rapidly in the solid tire manufacturing field in the recent years by virtue of their resource advantages.