By McLaren Industries 
The Importance of Solid Skid Steer Tire Aperture Holes
When choosing a solid or flat-proof tire, one of the largest concerns is typically how much cushion or shock absorption the tire offers. Since skid steers don’t have a suspension system like a car would, the tire becomes the suspension. As such, if a tire is solid and hard, the skid steer operator would feel every little bump in the road which would create a highly uncomfortable ride, among other issues.
While pneumatic tires have air in them which provides a small amount of shock absorption, many solid skid steer tires aren’t designed to provide cushion. To create a smoother ride on solid skid steer tires, aperture holes play a key role. To learn more about the importance of solid skid steer tire aperture holes, continue reading.
Prevent damage to the machine
When a ride is very rough and there isn’t any cushion, the skid steer can become damaged. The lack of shock absorption ultimately places a lot of stress on the axles and the drive train. As a result of the wear and tear that is placed on a skid steer due to the lack of cushion, a skid steer’s life is greatly shortened, often being cut in half. As such, it is essential to invest in solid skid steer tires that are designed with optimal aperture holes to provide the cushioning needed to protect your machine.
Reduce operator fatigue and injury
When tires aren’t designed with aperture holes that effectively provide cushion, operators experience a much higher level of fatigue when operating the skid steer. However, the impact that poorly designed aperture holes have on operators is far more dangerous than simply feeling tired at the end of the day.
After operating a skid steer loader with poor shock absorption for an extended period of time, debilitating lower back pain is often experienced. Such pain may ultimately prevent many skid steer operators from operating their machinery and inevitably their business success and future negatively.
What makes an effective aperture hole?
Now that we have addressed the importance of solid skid steer tire aperture holes, let’s get into how to determine good aperture holes. Even if a tire appears to have aperture holes, that doesn’t mean they are effective for providing the shock absorption you require. To ensure that they do, here is a list of criteria that your flat-proof skid steer tire aperture holes should meet:
● Aperture depth: Some tires feature shallow cosmetic aperture holes that are merely implemented as a marketing tactic and provide no practical advantage. To ensure that the aperture holes on a tire provide excellent cushion and suspension, it’s important to check that they have a substantial depth.
● Size of aperture holes: Larger sized aperture holes will provide a greater amount of cushion than smaller ones.
● Number of aperture holes: The greater the number of aperture holes that a solid skid steer tire has, the more cushioning will be provided.
● Design, shape, and compound: Aperture hole design and shape have a large impact on the tire’s longevity. Without an optimized internal and external radius and a properly made rubber compound, aperture holes can crack prematurely.
With two decades of experience manufacturing optimized aperture holes for solid skid steer tires, McLaren Industries offers the best cushioning in the entire flat-proof tire industry for skid steers. We have tires that fit Caterpillar, Bobcat, John Deere, Case, New Holland, and all other manufacturers of skid steers. To learn more about our expertly designed solid skid steer tires and start enjoying a smoother ride, contact us today at (800) 836-0040 or click here to request a quote.