new Solideal PON 775 NMAS

Static electricity is generated when two dissimilar materials are rubbed together. Insulating materials, such as rubber, are the most prone to accumulating static until it makes contact with a more conductive material. Forklifts using black tires generate static but they’re continuously releasing their potential charge because of the carbon black – a conductive material.

Non-marking tires don’t have this anti-static property since they contain silica in place of carbon black. Where carbon black is conductive, silica is an insulator. As a result, static generated in the tires is stored rather than dissipated. The static continues to build up in the forklift to potentially hazardous levels. In several high intensity applications, where heavy loads are carried with long runs and extensive operation, static electricity is accumulated by the truck. Upon contact, this creates an electric discharge that can cause safety hazards and truck / facility damages.

Some applications require non-marking tires to avoid marking on the ground: Forklifts that operate indoors, on warehouse floors with light-coloured coating and surface finish or in food processing plants, for instance, are often fitted with non-marking tires.

• Operator injury and safety issues: electric shocks to operator, which constitutes a safety hazard. This creates operator stress, which ultimately leads to lack of productivity.
• Fires : static electricity can create sparks at high voltages. Machines running on combustible fuels such as diesel or compressed gas have greater risks of fires, creating a potential danger to the operator and the business.
• Facility damages: Electric discharge can cause outages and circuit damage not only to the lift itself, but to other components and equipment within the facility. This can become quite costly in terms of facility downtime.

• While straps and chains provide some protection, in a lot of applications they simply don’t work (decreasing efficiency over time), as they are susceptible to damage or are simply missing. They can also be a costly part of preventive maintenance contracts.

The patented anti-static non-marking PON 775 NMAS features a special device, known as the black plug. Made of highly conductive black rubber, the plug is connected all the way from steel band to tread face. Upon contact with the floor, the accumulated electricity dissipates via the plug.