"Last month, I replaced the tires three times. The mechanic said if this keeps up, tire costs alone would be enough to buy half a new forklift!" Boss Wang, who just returned from a copper mine in Congo (Kinshasa), sighed while looking at the repair list on his phone. This is no exception—according to African mining reports, before the popularization of solid tire forklifts, tire-related failures accounted for 37% of all equipment malfunctions, with tire repairs and replacements comprising 40% of equipment maintenance costs.
But recently, a change has occurred in Boss Wang's mine: three solid tire forklifts have been operating for 8 months, with only one tire replacement (due to a small crack from a falling rock). "Previously, pneumatic tires got punctured frequently; now, even if solid tires run over nails, they keep going—this is exactly what our mine needs!"
Why Have Solid Tire Forklifts Become Africa's Mining Cost-Saving Tool?
No "black technology" involved—just three practical advantages:
Puncture-Resistant & Durable, Minimizing Repairs and Delays
On African mining roads, gravel, discarded steel bars, and sharp tree roots are commonplace. Ordinary pneumatic tires bulge or leak instantly when encountering these obstacles, but solid tire forklifts use high-elastic polyurethane with a honeycomb structure—penetrating objects only create small dents, and the tire remains functional after removal. Lao Zhang, Boss Wang's driver, shared: "Last month, when transporting ore through a waste pile, the tires ran over a dozen steel bars without a single crack!"
Wear-Resistant & Long-Lasting
Pneumatic tires wear down to paper-thin in 3 months on gravel roads, while solid tire forklifts feature 15mm-thick tread rubber (vs. 8mm for ordinary tires) with a wear-resistant particle layer. Manager Li from a manganese mine in Zambia, a long-term Hengwang customer, calculated: After 1 year of use, the tires of three solid tire forklifts showed only 1/5 wear, whereas pneumatic tires would have required their third replacement by then.
Stable & Worry-Free, Sustaining Efficiency
Leaking pneumatic tires make forklifts unstable, slowing down loading and causing swaying. Solid tire forklifts maintain consistent air pressure, ensuring stability during heavy-duty climbing and turning. Manager Li said: "Previously, a pneumatic tire leak required 2 hours of downtime for repair; now, even with minor issues, solid tire forklifts keep operating—loading 2 extra trips daily saves nearly $10,000 monthly!"
Two "Durability Kings" Tested in African Mines: HWCY-35A& HWCY-50A
Hengwang's solid tire forklifts aren't just for show—they're specially tuned for African conditions:
HWCY-35A Light-Duty Durable Model (Suitable for Small-Medium Mines)
1. Tires: 23.5/70-16 solid tires (Shore hardness 85A), puncture resistance ≥ Level 3 (ordinary tires: Level 2)
2. Power: Yunnei 490 engine (130 HP), climbs 30° slopes effortlessly
3. Field test: Operated for 8 months in a Congolese (Kinshasa) gravel mine, showing only slight tire wear and a 70% reduction in repairs.
HWCY-50A Heavy-Duty Tough Model (Suitable for Large Mines/Complex Terrains)
1. Tires: 16/70-24 widened solid tires (30% larger contact area), stable when hauling 5 tons of ore
2. Configurations: Reinforced mast + roll-over protection, reducing rollover risks on uneven roads
3. Customer feedback: A Zambian copper mine uses it to transport copper concentrate, replacing tires only once in 8 months (due to a falling rock impact).
Ready to Cut Costs? Start with Solid Tire Forklifts!
Boss Wang shared: "Before switching to solid tire forklifts, I calculated—annual savings on tire repairs equal half the cost of a forklift!" If you're engaged in mining or infrastructure in Africa and troubled by tire wear, try solid tire forklifts:
Free Consultation: Click on the online online customer service
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