There are different types of solid skid steer tires according to their security to a rim. This is for installation and use on a skid steer loader. Here, we describe three different types of solid skid steer tires, each being installed in a distinct manner.
The bonded solid tires come prepared. These durable skid steer tires are chemically attached to the rim on which they are mounted. These rims are always bought with the tires, since a set of tires and rims cannot be used separately. This means that customers that want flexibility may be limited when using bonded solid tires.
The most significant advantage of using this type of solid tire is that they protect against slippage between the tire and rim. They also withstand high torque. This means improved traction when you need it because the tire can’t slip on the rim. They can be expensive though, because you will need to replace the complete tire and rim assembly. This is each time you replace solid skid steer tire on your machine.
The simplest way solid tires can be mounted onto a rim is by being pressed on to fit onto an existing rim. This is possible with specialized equipment and done at a local tire dealer who has a press capable of doing this. The solid skid steer tire is held to the rim by friction because the tire is slightly stretched to fit onto and over the rim.
A solid skid steer tire of this design is typically lower cost up front, but has certain disadvantages. If the skid steer is pushing hard and the solid tire is under heavy load the friction fit can fail and the tire will spin on the rim. Slippage will typically happen more frequently over time as the rubber strength fatigues. Pressed on tires will also slip when working in wet conditions and heavy loads because water acts as a lubricant between the rubber and the rim.
Segmented solid skid steer tires are the most reliable for a reliable bond between tire and rim. They also offer flexible use and serviceability when you need it. A solid skid steer tire of this type uses nuts and bolts. Bolts are embedded inside each rubber segment of the solid skid steer tire and are then attached to the rim.
This means that you can take the tire segments off their rims and reuse the rim with another set of treads when your tires need to be replaced. This type of system also does not require specialized tooling or pressure to retread your tires. Operators can do it themselves with a wrench or ratchet.
A segmented solid skid steer tire is also protected from slipping on the rim because the bolts don't slip. It's also an excellent system as it only requires you to buy rims for the first time. However, once you have a set of rims, you can simply remove the worn out segments and bolt on the new ones. This ensures that your machinery offers the best productivity on the jobsite.