🏗️⚙️ Industrial
Tire Size Calculator

Calculate optimal industrial tire sizes for forklifts, skid steers, wheel loaders, and construction equipment with focus on durability and load capacity.

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Heavy Duty
24/7 Operation
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Solid/Pneumatic
No Flats
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Ply Rating
10-28 Ply

Enter Tire Size

💡 Tip: Tire size format is Width/AspectRatio R WheelDiameter
Example: 235/45R18

Enter tire size to see visualization

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Industrial-Specific Requirements

Industrial tires require: Ply rating matched to equipment capacity, solid tires for flat-prone areas, L3/L4/L5 tread for rock service, non-marking for indoor use, and regular inspection for cuts and wear. Tire choice impacts both productivity and operator safety.

🏗️⚙️ Industrial Tire Essentials

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Solid vs Pneumatic Tires

Pneumatic: Air-filled, smoother ride, better traction, outdoor use, 1,500-3,000 hour life. Solid: No flats, puncture-proof, harsher ride, indoor warehouses, 5,000-10,000 hour life. Press-On Solid: For smooth floors, 8,000-12,000 hours. Cushion: Semi-solid, balance comfort/durability. Choose based on surface and application.

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Industrial Tire Sizing Systems

Multiple sizing formats: Imperial (28x9-15), Metric (8.15-15), NHS (12-16.5 Non-Highway Service), Radial (20.5R25). 28x9-15 = 28" tall, 9" wide, 15" rim. NHS uses different aspect ratios. L-series (L2/L3/L4/L5) indicates tread depth: L2 = smooth, L3 = rock, L4 = severe service, L5 = extreme.

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Load Rating & Ply Rating

Industrial tires use star ratings or ply ratings. Forklift: 5,000 lbs = 12-ply, 10,000 lbs = 16-ply, 15,000 lbs = 20-ply. Skid steer: 10-ply minimum. Loader: 16-28 ply for rock service. Higher ply = more sidewall strength, puncture resistance. Match rating to equipment capacity plus 20% margin.

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Tread Patterns for Applications

L2 Smooth: Warehouses, paved surfaces, minimal wear. L3 Rock: General construction, moderate rock protection. L4 Severe Service: Rocky terrain, demolition, enhanced sidewall. L5 Extreme: Mining, sharp rock, maximum protection, deepest tread (2-3x L3 depth). Match pattern to surface harshness and expected hazards.

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Non-Marking Tires

White/gray non-marking tires for indoor use prevent black scuff marks on floors. Required for: Warehouses, food processing, clean rooms, retail. Cost 20-40% more than black tires. Available in solid and pneumatic. Common on forklifts and pallet jacks. Check facility requirements before purchase.

Tire Strategy for Industrial Equipment

Pneumatic to Solid (Forklift)

Eliminate flats in harsh environments

Recommended Tire
Trelleborg Elite XP or Camso Solideal
Benefits:
  • ✓Zero flats/downtime
  • ✓5,000-10,000 hour life
  • ✓Lower maintenance
  • ✓Puncture-proof
Trade-offs:
  • •Harsher ride
  • •2-3x initial cost
  • •Difficult installation
  • •More operator fatigue

Standard to Severe Duty L5

Maximum protection for mining/demo

Recommended Tire
Michelin XHA2 or Goodyear RL-4K
Benefits:
  • ✓3x tread depth of L3
  • ✓Maximum cut resistance
  • ✓2-3x tire life in rock
  • ✓Extreme sidewall protection
Trade-offs:
  • •40-60% higher cost
  • •Heavier tire
  • •Rougher ride

Standard to Non-Marking

Indoor warehouse compliance

Recommended Tire
Continental IC40 or Trelleborg Elite
Benefits:
  • ✓No floor scuffing
  • ✓Facility compliant
  • ✓Clean appearance
  • ✓Food-safe available
Trade-offs:
  • •20-40% higher cost
  • •Same performance otherwise
  • •Limited outdoor use

Top Industrial Tire Brands

Trelleborg

Elite XP (Solid)
$$$
Solid Forklift
•Long life (8,000+ hrs)
•Smooth ride for solid
•Easy press-on install
•Industry standard
Available in 28x9-15, 7.00-12, 8.25-15 sizes

Camso

Solideal SKS 532
$$
Skid Steer
•Severe duty rating
•Self-cleaning tread
•Puncture resistant
•Long wear life
Available in 10-16.5, 12-16.5, 14-17.5 sizes

Michelin

XHA2 L5
$$$$
Loader Extreme
•Deepest tread depth
•Maximum cut protection
•Proven in mining
•3-5 year life
Available in 20.5R25, 23.5R25, 26.5R25 sizes

Goodyear

RL-4K L4
$$$
Loader Severe
•Heavy-duty casing
•Rock service proven
•Good value
•Wide availability
Available in 17.5R25, 20.5R25, 23.5R25 sizes

Continental

IC40 Non-Marking
$$$
Forklift Pneumatic
•Non-marking compound
•Smooth indoor ride
•Low rolling resistance
•Food-safe option
Available in 28x9-15, 8.15-15, 18x7-8 sizes

Official Industrial Equipment OEM Tire Specifications

ModelYearFrontRearPly RatingPressure
Toyota
8FGU25 Forklift
202428x9-15 (pneumatic)6.50-10 (pneumatic)12-ply125/120 PSI
Bobcat
S650 Skid Steer
202412-16.5 NHS12-16.5 NHS10-plySolid
Caterpillar
924K Wheel Loader
202420.5R25 L320.5R25 L324-ply50 PSI
🏗️ Important: Industrial equipment requires proper ply rating matched to capacity. Solid tires eliminate flats in harsh environments.

Industrial Tire FAQs

Solid vs pneumatic forklift tires?
Pneumatic (air-filled): Smooth ride, better traction, outdoor use, 1,500-3,000 hours, $150-300 each, risk of flats. Solid (no air): No flats, 5,000-10,000 hours, indoor warehouses, harsher ride, $400-800 each, more operator fatigue. Choose pneumatic for outdoor/rough surfaces, solid for indoor/debris-filled areas. Press-on solid best for smooth warehouse floors.
What do L2, L3, L4, L5 tire designations mean?
Tread depth ratings: L2 (Smooth) = paved surfaces, minimal tread. L3 (Rock) = general construction, moderate protection. L4 (Severe) = rocky terrain, deeper tread, enhanced sidewalls. L5 (Extreme) = mining/demolition, 2-3x L3 tread depth, maximum cut protection. L5 costs 50-80% more than L3 but lasts 2-3x longer in harsh conditions. Match to surface.
How to read industrial tire sizes?
Multiple formats: Imperial (28x9-15) = 28" tall, 9" wide, 15" rim. Metric (8.15-15) = 8.15" width, 15" rim. NHS (12-16.5) = 12" width, 16.5" rim, non-highway service. Radial (20.5R25) = 20.5" width, radial construction, 25" rim. Check equipment manual for correct size and load rating.
What ply rating for skid steer tires?
Skid steer minimum: 10-ply rating. Standard use: 10-12 ply. Heavy construction: 12-14 ply. Solid tires for skid steers don't use ply ratings but are rated by load capacity. Example: Bobcat S650 (2,200 lbs operating capacity) needs 10-ply minimum in 12-16.5 NHS size. Severe service areas use 12-ply or solid tires.
How long do industrial tires last?
Forklift pneumatic: 1,500-3,000 hours (1-2 years). Forklift solid: 5,000-10,000 hours (3-5 years). Skid steer: 800-1,500 hours (1-2 years). Loader L3: 3,000-5,000 hours (2-3 years). Loader L5: 6,000-10,000 hours (4-5 years in severe service). Life depends on: surface type, load, operating style, maintenance. Check wear indicators monthly.

Tire Size Comparison Tool

Compare two tire sizes to see the differences in dimensions and speedometer accuracy

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