Standard ID vs Lip Type Solid Forklift Tyres
Two mounting systems. One hydraulic press. But the rim type, the inner bore profile, and what happens during installation are completely different. Here is what each system is, why it exists, and which one your forklift uses.
The Short Answer
Solid forklift tyres come in two mounting systems — Standard ID and Lip type. The Lip system goes by many names depending on the manufacturer: SIT, LOC, Click, Self-Lock, Quick Fit, and others — but they all refer to the same design and the same rim. You cannot mix systems — a Lip tyre will not fit a Standard rim, and a Standard tyre will not lock into a Lip rim correctly.
Before ordering a replacement tyre, check what rim type your forklift uses. The rim — not the tyre — determines which mounting system you need. If in doubt, contact your forklift dealer or the tyre manufacturer with your forklift model and rim photographs.
System 1: Standard ID (Standard Fit)
The Standard ID tyre has a plain, smooth cylindrical inner bore — no built-in lip or locking feature. The tyre is sized to a slightly smaller inner diameter than the rim outer diameter, creating an interference fit when pressed on.
Retention relies entirely on separate rim hardware: an advance band, a side ring, and a metal lock ring. These components are assembled around the tyre during the pressing process. The lock ring clips into a groove on the rim flange, mechanically securing the side ring and tyre in position.
Rim type: Multi-piece split rim
The Standard ID system uses a multi-piece rim consisting of several separate steel components. During tyre fitment, these components are staged and assembled while the tyre is being pressed — the lock ring is the last piece to click into place, confirming the tyre is seated.
Removal requires disassembling the lock ring and side ring, which must be done safely with a press. Never attempt to remove or inspect a retained lock ring by hand — lock rings can release under tension with serious force.
When Standard ID is used
- Traditional and widely used across all forklift brands and regions
- Common on older forklifts where the wheel design predates clip-mount systems
- Dominant in markets where multi-piece rim inventory is already established
- Used where a single rim size must accommodate multiple tyre configurations
System 2: Lip Type — SIT, LOC, Self-Lock, Click
The Lip type tyre has a hardened rubber protrusion moulded into the inner bore, typically near the bead area at the tyre's edge. When pressed onto a purpose-built rim, this rubber lip deforms slightly to pass over the rim flange, then springs back and engages a machined groove — producing the characteristic click sound that gives this system many of its names.
The lip compound is deliberately formulated to be stiffer than the main body rubber so it holds its geometry under load and maintains firm contact in the groove. The locking action is elastomeric interference-snap, not a mechanical metal fastener.
Rim type: Single-piece click rim
The Lip system uses a purpose-designed single-piece rim with a machined groove at the correct position on the flange. There is no separate advance band, side ring, or metal lock ring. Once the tyre is pressed to depth and the lip engages the groove, the assembly is complete.
This makes tyre changes significantly faster and eliminates the risk of loose hardware being misplaced or incorrectly reassembled. The system is also simpler to inspect — there are no hidden lock ring components to check.
The many names for Lip type
Lip type is the most name-confused system in the solid tyre industry. Every manufacturer calls it something different, but they all refer to the same design and the same rim:
| Name | Who uses it |
|---|---|
| SIT (Snap-In Tyre) | Continental, generic industry |
| LOC | Camso/Solideal, Trelleborg, generic |
| Self-Lock | Various manufacturers — same system |
| Click type | TVH, European market |
| Clip type | UK distributors |
| Lip type | Asian manufacturers, generic |
| Quick Fit / Easy Fit | Various UK retailers |
| Quick Heel | Camso branded variant |
| SW (Swift) | Maxam product code |
| EasyClick | Komachi brand name |
When Lip type is used
- Dominant on European-designed forklifts: Linde, Jungheinrich, Still, Kalmar
- Preferred where tyre change frequency is high and downtime cost is critical
- Any forklift originally equipped with a click or LOC-style rim
- Growing adoption in newer forklift models globally
Important: A Lip/SIT/LOC tyre cannot be fitted on a standard multi-piece rim. It requires its own specific single-piece rim with the correct groove geometry. Always verify rim type before ordering.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Standard ID | Lip / SIT / LOC / Self-Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Inner bore profile | Plain / smooth | Moulded rubber lip |
| Rim type required | Multi-piece split rim | Single-piece click rim |
| Separate lock ring? | Yes — metal lock ring + side ring | No — lip replaces it |
| Press required? | Yes | Yes |
| Change speed | Slower — hardware assembly required | Faster — single snap engagement |
| Common on | All regions, older and mixed fleets | European forklifts, newer models |
How to Identify Which System Your Forklift Uses
The easiest way is to inspect the rim currently fitted to your forklift:
- Standard ID: You will see multiple steel components — a visible lock ring (a C-shaped or snap ring) sitting in a groove on the rim flange, plus a side ring between the lock ring and the tyre bead. The rim has a distinct multi-piece appearance.
- Lip / LOC / Self-Lock rim: The rim is a single piece. There is a machined groove on the flange but no separate lock ring hardware present. The rim edge looks clean and integrated.
When in doubt, photograph the rim and share it with your tyre supplier before ordering.