Electric stackers and pallet trucks can use either PU wheels or rubber solid tyres. We compare both options on load rating, floor compatibility, and total cost of ownership.
Understanding the Two Options
Electric stackers, pallet trucks, and reach trucks use a different wheel configuration than counterbalance forklifts. The drive wheel (which provides traction) and load wheels (which support the forks) are typically smaller diameter, and they can be specified in either polyurethane (PU) compound or rubber solid tyre compound.
The choice between PU and rubber is not arbitrary — it has significant implications for floor life, wheel life, energy efficiency, and cost.
Polyurethane (PU) Wheels
PU wheels are made from a cast or moulded polyurethane compound bonded to a precision-machined steel or aluminium hub. They are characterised by:
- Excellent floor protection — PU is significantly softer in contact than rubber at low temperatures, reducing floor wear
- Non-marking by nature — standard orange or yellow PU compound leaves no dark marks
- Low rolling resistance — reduces battery consumption on electric machines
- High load capacity in a small diameter — PU can handle heavy axle loads in a compact form factor
- Shore A hardness typically 80–92, customisable for specific applications
Rubber Solid Tyre Wheels
Rubber solid tyres (including press-on / cushion band tyres) offer a different set of characteristics:
- Better shock absorption — rubber deflects more under impact load than PU
- Higher abrasion resistance on rough floors — rubber outperforms PU on concrete with surface contamination or grit
- Lower initial cost — standard rubber compound is cheaper to produce than PU
- Wider temperature range — rubber performs better at very low temperatures (cold storage)
Which Should You Choose?
As a general rule:
- PU wheels — best for clean indoor environments with smooth, high-quality concrete or tile floors. Best for electric pallet trucks and stackers used in food, pharma, and logistics.
- Rubber solid tyres — better where the floor surface is rough, contaminated with grit, or subject to temperature extremes (cold storage below -10°C). Also better where higher shock loads occur.
- PU for drive and load wheels, rubber for stabiliser/balance wheels — a common mixed specification for some reach truck configurations.
JABIL Technical Note
JABIL supplies both PU wheels (with machined steel hub) and rubber press-on / cushion band tyres. We can advise on the correct specification for your machine make and model.
Have questions about your specific application?