Camso launches new Air tyre range for forklifts & ground support equipment

Three new Camso industrial pneumatic tyres have been introduced for forklift and ground support equipment applications. These are the Solideal Air 550, Air 570 and Air 561, tyres Camso says are aimed primarily at markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The Air 550, Air 570 and Air 561 respectively replace the Solideal ED Plus, Rib Lug and ZZ Rib.

Introducing its new products, Camso speaks of the trio strengthening its pneumatic line-up by offering customers “the best performance based upon their application at the lowest operating cost” and claims the tyres promise “greater durability and performance without compromising price.”

“Even though more forklifts run on solid tyres nowadays, there are still many that require the use of pneumatic tyres,” comments Thierry Miche, product line executive director – Material Handling at Camso. “Industrial pneumatic tyres are preferred for outdoor operations on uneven and rough surfaces and for long-distance runs, or in regions where service is less accessible. Unfortunately, these market segments’ needs can sometimes be overlooked,”

Acknowledging the specific requirements of these industrial pneumatic applications, Camso says it developed the new tyre line-up after much testing and numerous customer visits in order to provide exactly the right product for their customers’ applications. The manufacturer reports that the new Solideal Air range lasts longer and combines improved operator comfort on rough, uneven surfaces with lower rolling resistance, which improves the overall energy efficiency.

Solideal Air 550: Camso shares that the Air 550 was “designed to provide superior durability without compromising price in order to lower operating costs of general forklift applications.” It features a thick sidewall and heavy-duty casing for greater puncture resistance and ultimately fewer flat tyres. Its tread design and rubber compounds increase tyre life while providing better traction and enhanced stability. According to Camso, the new Air 550 will provide 80 per cent longer life than its predecessor, the Solideal ED Plus.

Solideal Air 570: A tyre engineered to optimise the energy efficiency of electric forklifts through the use of low rolling resistance compounds. The flat tread profile enhances stability, while the smooth continuous centre lug reduces vibration and enhances steerability. In addition to enhanced tyre performance, its tread life is said to last 30 per cent longer compared to the Solideal Rib Lug, which it replaces.

Solideal Air 561: According to Camso, this particular tyre is purpose-built to lower the operating costs of ground support equipment such as baggage and aircraft tow tractors at airports. Benchmarked against the Solideal ZZ Rib, the Air 561 showed 12 per cent better stability, ten per cent better energy efficiency, and twice the tread life. It uses energy-efficient rubber compounds to offer excellent tyre life on high-temperature apron surfaces, and its rib profile tackles specific GSE challenges like snaking and cupping (also known as heel-to-toe wear). Thanks to deep lugs and sipes, it also ensures excellent traction in low-grip conditions.

“As the world’s largest manufacturer of forklift tyres, it’s our job to understand the unique mobility needs of any material handling equipment and its application so we can engineer the right tyre and provide customers with the lowest operating cost solution. This also means pneumatic solutions for ground support equipment and general forklift applications,” says Miche.

With its new additions, Camso has expanded the possibilities for end-users by providing the most complete range of forklift industrial pneumatic tyres from 8- to 20-inches, with more than 40 combinations of sizes and ply ratings for the Solideal Air 550. A non-marking option is also available.