A skid steer loader, or skid steer, is a small hydraulic-powered machine with a variety of tools that attach to its lift arms; it works as a front loader to move earth, snow, gravel and whatever else needs moving. Because of its fixed wheel orientation and separate side-wheel synchronization, a skid steer loader 'skids' to turn - effectively pivoting the machine in a zero radius. This makes the skid steer extremely versatile and agile, but rough use wears tires.
Flats are especially problematic when it comes to pneumatic skid steer tires. One current solution is to fill skid steer tires with foam. But dependability does not mean tires that don't run flat anymore. Dependability also translates into skid steer tires that have high traction, a long wear life, save money, and provide a smooth ride for the operator.
According to skid steer operators, foam-filled tires have many drawbacks. You might think they'd choose foam-filled tires over tubed pneumatic ones because no one wants to fix a flat. However, many operators complain about how rough it is to ride with foam-filled tires. The tires get stiff and don't conform to the road and bounce the driver all over the place.
Another common complaint is that foam-filled tires lose traction - again because of the foam's rigidity and stiffness. One of the more serious complaints was that the added weight of foam-filled tires put additional stress on skid steer drivetrain. If the drivetrain fails, the skid steer can’t operate. Only one operator out of ten thought the added weight was a benefit, perhaps contributing to traction. In fact, most operators said they'd rather deal with changing pneumatic tires than use foam-filled tires. This is primarily because air-filled tires provide a more comfortable ride. So is that it - just live with flat tires?
Foam Filled Skid Steer Tires
Pros. You will not get a flat tire with foam-filled tires. You might get extra traction from the added weight.
Cons. These tires are heavy and add unwanted weight to the skid steer drivetrain. You have excess downtime for the machine due to the time needed to fill the tires with foam, or -- when replacing the tires -- the time and difficulty it takes to cut the foam and tires off the rim. Foam-filled tires have reduced wear life compared with solid tires. A foam-filled tire will become stiff and rigid causing loss of traction; they also provide a rough and uncomfortable ride for the operator.
Another significant problem with foam-filled skid steer tires is the high risk of replacing cut and torn tires. It's a common health and safety regulation that foam-filled skid steer tires must be replaced when cutting and chunking results in foam spilling out of the tire. This means that, even if your tire is newly acquired, if it has been cut or damaged resulting in foam spilling, you'll need to change the tire. This means huge added costs, especially if the tire is freshly installed and hasn't been used.
Solid Skid Steer Tires
Pros. Solid tires won't get flat. Although they add additional weight to the drivetrain, they add less weight to the machine than foam-filled tires. Solid skid steer tires have a longer wear life meaning lower costs over time. A skid steer performs better with solid skid steer tire than with foam-filled skid steer tires, and solid skid steer tires provide the operator with a smooth and comfortable ride.
Cons. Solid skid steer tires may cost more upfront, but not by a lot. Some operators complain that solid tires are also rigid and cause skid steers to lose traction.
Although solid skid steer tires are obviously the better choice over foam filled tires, traction could be a problem in construction applications. But traction is not a problem with Evolution Wheel's solid skid steer tires. By adding taller and wider lugs to their solid skid steer tires, they dramatically improve traction. They increase the wear life of the lugs, eliminated chunking and stress cracking, and and they have the best material cleanout for solid skid steer tires on the market.
Because of these reasons and MANY more, Evolution Wheel leads the field in traction technology for solid skid steer tires. It meets your needs for "serviceability, traction, and a comfortable ride all in one."
To learn more about solid skid steer tires visit Evolution Wheel's Video Gallery
