WHAT ARE FOAM-FILLED TIRES?
This is essentially another name for pneumatic tires that have been filled with a type of liquid instead of air, which hardens inside the airtight core and converts the tires to solid ones. This was once the main way to achieve a 'puncture-proof' tire - amazingly, this technology actually existed before solid tires were even invented.
The main benefits of foam-filled tires include:
The ride is often described as softer than that provided by solid tires.
It's possible to use whatever tires you like, as any can be converted to foam-filled.
It can be cheaper than solid tires, particularly when the cost of rubber is high.
The main drawbacks of these tires include:
They are composed of a variety of different components, all of which have different manufacturers, so if one component is subpar it can affect the whole structure of the tire.
They don't have as much sidewall protection as solid tires, although reinforced ones are available at an extra cost.
SO, WHAT IS THE KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLID AND FOAM-FILLED TIRES?
Although both are considered types of pneumatic tires and are 'puncture-proof', solid tires and foam-filled tires are not the same - their key difference lies in what they're manufactured from.
Solid tires are made only from rubber, while foam-filled ones are typically made from tread-molded rubber that has been reinforced by steel belting and has layers of rubber-coated polyester underneath to form an airtight core inside. This core is filled with either pressurized air or gas (which will harden into a foam-like consistency).
WHICH IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR MY MACHINE?
It can be difficult to determine which type of tire is the best choice for your heavy machinery if you don't first consider what sorts of jobs you typically undertake. Ask yourself the following questions:
Are the tires going to last a long time?
How are they going to impact my machine during its operation?
What sort of maintenance is required?
Whilst foam-filled and solid tires are both long-lasting and relatively low maintenance, the impact on the machine and operator comfort often means that foam-filled tires come out on top.
We replace the air in your pneumatic tires with a polyurethane liquid, which hardens into a synthetic elastomer core that eliminates flats in heavy machinery of all shapes and sizes.