Polyurethane Tyrefill Vs Solid Tyres: A Selection Guide For Waste & Recycling
The Waste And Recycling Tyre Problem: What Really Costs You
MRFs and transfer stations punish tyres. Sharp scrap, rebar, glass and bale wire cut sidewalls. Kerb strikes and stop–start duty cycles damage beads. Loads are high, distances short, and turning is tight.
Common machines are wheeled loaders, telehandlers, skid steers and yard forklifts. The real costs are downtime and accelerated wear. Your decision KPIs are cost-per-hour, ride and vibration, axle load compliance, and downtime risk. See our industrial tyres range and this note on demanding conditions for rim and tire for context.
Polyurethane Tyrefill (Fieldens Polycoat): How It Works
Tyrefill replaces air with a two-part polyurethane elastomer. The tyre becomes puncture-proof yet still flexes, giving a controlled, pneumatic-like footprint. Fieldens Polycoat Tyrefill is available in firmness options to balance ride, stability and load support.
Under ISO 9001 controls we inspect the casing, inject the fill, cure for 24–48 hours, then balance and fit. Expect a weight increase and near-zero flats. In service, check tread wear and casing condition at routine intervals. At end of life, options exist to process filled casings responsibly. Learn more about Tyrefill and our manufacturing standards.
Solid Tyres: What They Are And Where They Fit
Solids come as 2/3-stage resilient designs, aperture (cushioned) solids, and press-on bands for forklifts. They require specific rims or press-on hubs and add significant unsprung mass compared with air-filled tyres.
Strengths are total puncture immunity and long wear life. Trade-offs are a firmer ride, higher weight, potential speed limits, and more impact transmitted to the machine and floor. Aperture patterns improve compliance but remain stiffer than a Tyrefill pneumatic casing.
This image was generated with AI and may not always represent the product or service exactly.
Cost-Per-Hour: How To Model Tyrefill Vs Solids Correctly
Use a simple TCO model: (purchase + wheel/fitting + expected maintenance + downtime + fuel/energy + component wear impacts − resale) ÷ productive hours. Inputs include tyre size, fill/press cost, floor condition, load, speed, expected life (hours), downtime cost per hour, and fuel penalty from added mass/rolling resistance.
Example: A loader doing short pushes over sharp debris usually favours solids or Tyrefill. A telehandler with more travel often benefits from Tyrefill for ride and speed. Benchmark both, then compare against our industrial tyre and wheel package deal pricing. Rule of thumb: high FOD, short cycles and low speeds point to solids; mixed travel and operator comfort needs point to Tyrefill.
Ride, Vibration And Machine Wear
Ride affects H&S and operator fatigue. Tyrefill retains a pneumatic-style footprint and damping, reducing vibration. Solids are stiffer; aperture solids help, but the ride is still firmer.
Higher vibration increases wear on pins, bushings, bearings, and attachments. It can also force lower safe site speeds. Select Tyrefill firmness to protect operators and components, or specify aperture solid patterns where solids are essential for puncture immunity.
Axle Load, Stability And Ground Pressure
Tyrefill and solids increase assembly weight versus air. Check axle ratings, bearing limits and brake performance. Verify machine speed ratings and duty cycle to manage heat build-up, especially on longer travel or continuous operation.
Consider floor load limits on mezzanines and ramps. If solids add mass and shift balance, use wheel offset and track-width changes to recover stability. Confirm load index and heat resistance for the duty, not just the size.
Downtime And Serviceability In Real Operations
Tyrefill eliminates puncture downtime but needs a 24–48 hour cure before first use. Plan a spare set so machines keep running. Schedule fills mid-week for weekend cure to reduce impact on operations.
Solids remove flats entirely but may require a tyre press. Change-out times can be longer, so plan rotations around service windows. Keep spare assemblies ready to swap to keep throughput stable.
This image was generated with AI and may not always represent the product or service exactly.
Application-Specific Recommendations
Loaders and telehandlers with mixed travel and debris: Polycoat Tyrefill in quality casings from Michelin, BKT or ATG balances ride, speed and uptime. Skid steers in picking halls on steel and rubble: aperture solids often suit best.
Indoor forklifts: press-on solids dominate for FOD control. Outdoor or mixed forklift work: Tyrefill in pneumatic-profile casings improves comfort and stability. If you need non-standard sizes or compounds, we can advise on bespoke tyres to match the site.
Wheel Build And Fitment Quality: Make It Last
Quality wheel build is critical. Fieldens OTR Ltd follows ISO 9001 processes, with runout checks, correct bolt pattern verification and corrosion protection. We specify valve guards, bead retention detail and correct torque procedures, then re-check after bedding-in.
Where serviceability matters, use 2- or 3-piece rims. We pair bespoke wheels to exact specification with branded tyres (Michelin, BKT, ATG) and Polycoat Tyrefill to deliver safe, durable assemblies.
Environmental And Total-Life Considerations
Extended life means fewer change-outs and less scrap. Tyrefill-filled casings and solids have defined processing and recycling routes. Fieldens OTR Ltd can advise compliant options for UK duty of care.
Added mass can increase energy use, but fewer stoppages and longer wear can reduce total site impact. Choose the option that lowers whole-life waste and cost-per-hour, not just purchase price.
Specification Checklist And RFQ Template
Provide this information to speed selection and quoting:
- Site surfaces and debris profile
- Average and peak loads; axle ratings
- Travel distance, speed and duty cycle length
- Attachments used and typical tasks
- Current downtime hours and target cost-per-hour
- Preferred ride quality and H&S limits
- Any floor load limits or mezzanine use
- Wheel data: size, offset, PCD, centre bore, nut/bolt type
- Photos of wheels/tyres and data plates
Send the checklist and images via our contact page for a fast, accurate RFQ.
Next Steps: Engineered Wheel And Tyre Packages For Waste Operations
Fieldens OTR Ltd offers an end-to-end package: on-site assessment, modelling, bespoke wheel build, tyre selection (Michelin/BKT/ATG), Polycoat Tyrefill if specified, and precision fitment. We then review performance against cost-per-hour targets.
You get practical engineering, clear options, and UK-wide support from a family business with over 60 years’ experience. Specify correctly once, and make it last.
FAQs
Is Tyrefill Compatible With My Existing Rims?
Yes, in most cases. We check casing condition, wheel specification and load ratings before filling to ensure safe performance.
How Long Does Polycoat Tyrefill Take To Cure?
Typically 24–48 hours, depending on tyre size and ambient temperature. Plan a spare set so your machine stays productive during cure.
Do Solid Tyres Need Special Wheels?
Yes. Resilient and aperture solids use dedicated rims, while press-on bands fit specific forklift hubs. We confirm fitment before supply.
Will Tyrefill Increase Fuel Use?
It adds mass, so a small fuel penalty is possible. Many sites recover this through fewer stoppages and higher productive hours.
What Speed Limits Apply To Solids?
Solids often have lower speed ratings than pneumatics. Always check the tyre’s speed/load rating against your duty cycle.
Can You Mix Tyrefill And Solids On The Same Machine?
No. Keep tyres matched across an axle for safety and predictable handling. Use one solution per axle, preferably machine-wide.