Anyone who drives industrial or commercial machinery has likely been exposed to the benefits of solid tyres. These are tyres that are built to withstand the toughest driving conditions thanks to one key feature: they’re built from solid rubber.
Here’s how they work and when they are most useful.
How Do Solid Tyres Work?
Solid tyres are exactly what they sound – tyres that are constructed from layers of rubber and other materials. Crucially, there is no room, and no need, for air in these tyres.
Of course, this raises some questions. Tyres that are filled with air, commonly termed pneumatic tyres across the industry, have the added benefits of supporting a comfortable driving experience and being able to adapt to different driving conditions and terrains.
Conversely, solid tyres do not have that same buffer of air to support suspension and ensure that the driving experience is comfortable. Instead, they rely on the layers of rubber and other materials to soak up any harsh vibrations and shocks from the road surface.
But they’re not all bad…
Benefits of Solid Tyres
Solid tyres have a number of indisputable benefits, namely the lack of air which also means the removal of puncture risks and blowouts. When a tyre doesn’t use air to keep its shape, it cannot suffer a puncture like a regular tyre – purely because there’s no outer layer to damage!
What’s more, solid tyres are much more hard-wearing and are the ideal choice for particularly challenging terrains where the risk of tyre damage is high. Because they don’t require much in the way of maintenance, they are a ideal solution for industrial applications and for those who regularly navigate changing conditions without the ability or time to check tyre pressures and inspect for damage.
