Pneumatic wheels are used on many low speed vehicles. In fact, car tires are based on the pneumatic wheel. Pneumatics is a type of technology that relies on air in order to create motion.
The pneumatic wheel functions from the ability of air pressure to act as a shock absorber and to help create motion. These wheels can spin and grip the ground to move different machines and vehicles. Inside the wheel is an inner tube that is filled to a specified air pressure.
Pneumatic wheels are found on low speed vehicles that weigh less than 500 pounds. Expect to see a pneumatic wheel on wheelbarrows, bicycles, tractors, models, scooters and snow blowers. The small wheels found on casters to move cabinets and other furniture are all pneumatic wheels.
There are several different specifications for pneumatic wheels. The wheel diameter can vary as can the width of the tread. Normal weight or load capacity ranges form 300 to 500 pounds. There are even high load pneumatic wheels that can handle items that weigh thousands of pounds. These use standard ball bearings and can have different bore lengths.
Pneumatic wheels have many advantages as they properly cushion the load and can roll over obstructions easily. They provide excellent protection for both the floor and ground as well as the load. These wheels last much longer than other wheels, have high shock absorbency and require much less maintenance.
