Pneumatic Wheels

Pneumatic wheels (for carts and equipment) occasionally come up in discussions with our customers. These wheels are filled with air, unlike the solid wheels typically used. They absorb more shock and vibrations than your typical solid wheel, which makes them a good fit for fragile loads or outdoor applications. Our flatbed garden cart (#90592) features pneumatic wheels, making bumpy outdoor rides a little smoother.

Please keep in mind that temperature changes affect the pneumatic wheels (just like in our vehicles) and maintenance is required in checking the psi in the wheels. If you have extreme temperature fluctuations seasonally, it’s always a good idea to check the psi in your tires on a regular basis.

If your material handlers have not used pneumatic wheeled equipment in the past, there may be a learning curve for them as they are a bit more bouncy and may not be the best fit in mezzanine applications. You may require additional accessories like shocks or strut-like units to compensate for the bounciness experienced with the pneumatic wheels.

The characteristics of pneumatic wheels are much different than a solid hard rubber wheel. Different “solid fills” or “sure fills” can be done on the wheels to eliminate any large psi fluctuations. Often it can be done by your local tire shop. The tire is filled with foam which eventually hardens and makes the wheel less susceptible to puncture but will have a harder ride.

Some customers like pneumatic wheels and others do not. On some manufactured tires, the tire leaks due to a loose fit between the wheel and tire. Others have tubes and punctures that are not always an easy fix.

If you have a new application, you may want to test the pneumatic tires vs. hard rubber wheels for your application before deciding which route to go. Reach out to us at sales@rol-away.com or (503) 777-3388 to discuss if pneumatic wheels may be right for you.