Solid Forklift Tyre Size Guide for India — All Sizes by Capacity Class
You know your forklift's rated capacity. You need to know the right solid tyre size. This is the complete reference — 20 sizes across 8 capacity classes, drive vs steer axle explained, and exactly what to specify when ordering.
Where to Find Your Current Tyre Size
Before using a size chart, check what is already fitted to your forklift. There are three places to look:
- Tyre sidewall: The size is moulded into the rubber. Look for a number in the format “23×9-10” or “7.00-12” on the outer face of the tyre. If the sidewall is worn or dirty, clean it and look again — the marking is always there.
- Forklift data plate: A metal tag fixed to the mast or chassis lists the machine's rated capacity and usually the OEM tyre specification. Check for both front and rear tyre sizes — they are different.
- OEM operations manual: The most authoritative source. Lists the exact OEM-approved tyre specification for your model number. Search the manufacturer's website using your forklift model number if you only have a photocopy.
If the sidewall marking is illegible on a very worn tyre, measure the outer diameter, section width, and rim diameter in inches and match to the table below. Our guide on how to read forklift tyre sizes explains every number in the size designation.
Size Reference Table by Capacity
The table below maps forklift capacity class to the solid tyre sizes typically specified on that class. The drive axle (front on a standard counterbalance forklift) carries the combined weight of the forklift and its load — it uses the larger, heavier tyre. The steer axle (rear) uses a smaller tyre and carries only the counterweight.
Use this as a starting point. Always verify against your specific model's data plate or OEM manual before ordering.
| Capacity Class | Typical Drive (Front) Size | Drive Axle Load Rating | Typical Steer (Rear) Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 – 1.5 tonne | 4.00×8 or 16×6-8 | 930 – 1,270 kg | 15×4.5-8 |
| 1.5 – 2 tonne | 5.00×8 or 18×7-8 | 1,390 – 2,000 kg | 16×6-8 or 15×4.5-8 |
| 2 – 2.5 tonne | 21×8-9 | 2,800 kg | 18×7-8 or 6.00×9 |
| 2.5 – 3 tonne | 6.50×10 or 23×9-10 | 2,310 – 3,420 kg | 21×8-9 |
| 3 – 4 tonne | 7.00×12 or 27×10-12 | 2,920 – 3,450 kg | 23×9-10 |
| 4 – 5 tonne | 8.15×15 or 250×15 | 3,450 – 4,600 kg | 7.00×12 or 7.50×16 |
| 5 – 7 tonne | 8.25×15 or 300×15 | 4,960 – 5,725 kg | 250×15 or 8.25×16 |
| 7 – 10 tonne | 9.00×20 or 10.00×20 | 5,375 – 6,000 kg | 7.50×20 or 8.25×15 |
Load rating note: The drive axle load rating listed is the per-wheel rating, not the axle total. Two drive tyres together carry double the listed figure. The actual load on each drive tyre equals (forklift weight + rated load) ÷ 2. Never spec a tyre whose per-wheel rating falls below this figure.
Drive vs. Steer: Why Both Sizes Matter
Most buyers focus only on the drive (front) tyre because it is the larger, more visible one. The steer tyre is often overlooked until it fails.
On a counterbalance forklift, weight distribution is not equal front-to-rear. The drive axle carries the majority of the machine weight plus 100% of the lifted load. As the forklift raises a load, even more weight transfers forward — which is why drive tyres wear significantly faster than steer tyres under normal operation.
However, within each axle, both tyres must match in size, compound grade, and wear level. Mixing grades or running one worn tyre alongside a new one on the same axle creates uneven load distribution and accelerates failure of both tyres. Within each axle, always replace as a pair.
In practice, drive tyres (front pair) typically need replacement 2–3× more often than steer tyres. Budget and track each axle separately — they run on different replacement cycles.
Cushion Tyre vs. Pneumatic: Which Table Applies to You
The size table above covers solid cushion tyres — the press-in, split-rim solid tyres used on indoor counterbalance forklifts operating on smooth concrete. Before using this table, confirm that your forklift is a cushion-tyre model:
- Cushion tyre (solid, indoor): Tyre is pressed directly into a split-band rim. No inflation. Tyre sidewall will show a size like “18×7-8” or “7.00-12”. This table applies.
- Pneumatic tyre (outdoor): Inflated tyre on a standard wheel. Tyre sidewall shows a size like “7.50-15” or “250-15” with a ply rating. This table does not apply — pneumatic tyre sizing follows a different standard.
- Reach truck / order picker: Uses a different tyre type and mounting system. The table above does not apply. Contact us with your machine's tyre sidewall marking.
If you are unsure, check the sidewall of the existing tyre. A solid cushion tyre has no inflation valve, the sidewall is solid rubber throughout, and the size designation will not include a ply rating (PR) suffix.
Common Forklifts in India — Capacity Class Reference
Note: The same forklift model is often available in both cushion-tyre (indoor) and pneumatic-tyre (outdoor) variants. The capacity class determines the tyre size — use the table above once you know your forklift's rated load capacity. The only authoritative source for the exact size is the sidewall of the fitted tyre or the OEM data plate.
Godrej — India's highest-volume counterbalance forklift manufacturer. Electric and diesel/LPG variants from 1.5–5T. The 1.5–3T class is most common in Indian warehouses. Indoor models use solid cushion tyres. One confirmed procurement record: Godrej GX 3T diesel front axle → 7.00×12. For all other models, use your data plate.
Voltas — Widely used in FMCG, textile, and light manufacturing across India. Counterbalance range covers 1.5–3.5T. Indoor warehouse models use solid cushion tyres. Locate your model's rated capacity in the table above for applicable sizes.
Linde, Still, Baoli (KION Group) — Linde and Still are common in automotive plants, pharma, and high-cycle logistics. Mainstream indoor counterbalance range spans 1.6–3.5T. Both cushion and pneumatic variants exist within the same model series — confirm your variant before ordering.
Toyota — Widely deployed in Indian automotive, electronics, and logistics facilities. Indoor counterbalance models from 1.5–3.5T use solid cushion tyres. Many models are offered in both cushion and pneumatic configurations — check the data plate.
Hyster-Yale — Common in heavy operations and ports. Note: most Hyster H-series counterbalance models are pneumatic-tyre forklifts for outdoor or rough-surface use. Indoor Hyster electric models do use solid cushion tyres. Verify your model's tyre type before ordering.
Crown, Jungheinrich, Clark, Komatsu, Mitsubishi, Doosan — All follow the same international capacity-to-size convention for solid cushion tyres. Use your machine's rated capacity with the table above. Reach trucks and order pickers from any brand use a different tyre type not covered by this table.
Size Notation: Same Tyre, Different Label
A common source of confusion is that the same tyre can appear under two different size formats depending on who printed the label or the era the forklift was manufactured.
The diameter × width-rim format (e.g., 23×9-10) states the outer diameter first. This is the most common format in India for cushion solid tyres and the format used across our product range.
The section width-rim format (e.g., 6.50-10) states the section width first. The outer diameter is implied by the combination of width and rim size.
These two formats can refer to the same tyre. Common equivalences:
- 23×9-10 and 6.50-10 are equivalent — 23-inch OD, 6.5-inch section width, 10-inch rim
- 7.00-12 and 7×12 are the same — 7-inch section width, 12-inch rim, ~26-inch OD
- 28×9-15 and 8.15×15 are equivalent — 28-inch OD, 9-inch section, 15-inch rim
- 32×10-15 and 8.25×15 are equivalent — 32-inch OD, 10-inch section, 15-inch rim
When ordering, specify the format exactly as it appears on your sidewall. If you know the outer diameter, include it — this eliminates any ambiguity in cross-referencing between formats.
Compound Grade: The Other Decision
Once you have the right size, the next decision is compound grade. Size determines whether the tyre physically fits your rim and clears the forklift structure. Grade determines how long it lasts and how it behaves in your specific operating environment.
Quick grade selector: Single-shift light warehousing → Standard. Multi-shift general use → Heavy Duty. 3-shift high-cycle or extended hours → Premium. Outdoor, scrap yards, steel plants → Obsidian. Pharma, food, cleanroom (non-black requirement) → Non-Marking. See our full compound grade guide for detailed specs.
The grade decision has as much impact on your total tyre spend as the size decision. In a 3-shift operation, upgrading from Standard to Premium often halves the number of replacement cycles per year despite the higher unit price — the cost-per-hour formula shows exactly how this arithmetic works.
What to Specify When You Order
When requesting a quote from Adamas, provide these five items to get an accurate specification and price within 24 hours:
- Tyre size — exactly as it appears on the sidewall (e.g., “23×9-10” or “7.00-12”)
- Axle — drive (front) or steer (rear), or both if ordering a full set
- Forklift brand and model — allows us to cross-check against known OEM data
- Application — warehouse type, shift pattern, floor surface, any special requirements (non-marking, outdoor, cold storage)
- Quantity — number of tyres, not number of forklifts
With these five inputs, we confirm the specification, recommend the right compound grade for your application, and provide a delivered price including GST. Browse our full solid resilient tyre range or request a quote directly — we supply all 20 sizes in 6 compound grades, direct from our ISO 9001 certified factory in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu.