Forklift Polyurethane Wheel

Forklift Polyurethane Wheels (PU Wheels): Drive Wheels, Caster Wheels & Load Wheels

Forklift polyurethane wheels (also known as PU wheels) are the contact point between your forklift and the floor. Worn or chunked polyurethane causes vibration, floor marking, and reduced load stability. Kingstream stocks replacement polyurethane wheels in drive, caster, and load configurations for Toyota, Komatsu, HELI, Hangcha, TCM, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Linde electric forklifts and pallet trucks.

Drive Wheels vs Caster Wheels vs Load Wheels

Not all forklift polyurethane wheels serve the same function:

Drive Wheels — Powered by the traction motor, these handle acceleration, braking, and steering torque. They experience the highest wear rate and must be replaced when the tread pattern is worn smooth or the PU layer approaches the steel hub. Typically use Shore A 90-95 for grip and durability.

Caster Wheels — Unpowered and swivel to follow steering input. They wear more slowly but develop flat spots if the forklift is parked loaded for extended periods. Require periodic rotation to ensure even wear.

Load Wheels — Support the fork tips on pallet trucks and reach trucks, riding directly on the floor under full load weight. Typically use Shore A 80-85 for floor protection and quieter rolling.

When to Replace Your Polyurethane Wheels

A forklift PU wheel needs replacement when the polyurethane layer wears to within 3-5mm of the steel hub, or when chunking exposes the hub surface. Warning signs include:

• Increased vibration through the chassis and steering wheel, especially at speed
• Visible cracks or chunks missing from the tread surface
• Forklift pulling to one side due to uneven wheel diameter from asymmetric wear
• Black or colored marks left on the floor from degraded PU material shedding

Operating with worn drive wheels transfers shock loads to bearings, gearboxes, and the steering system — a set of wheels costs far less than replacing a damaged drive unit.

How to Order the Correct Size

When ordering a replacement polyurethane wheel, verify four dimensions:

• Outer Diameter x Tread Width — determines fitment in the wheel well, must match exactly
• Bore Diameter — wheel must fit the axle shaft or bearing without play
• Bolt Pattern — for hub-mounted drive wheels, count the number of bolts and measure the bolt circle diameter
• Keyway or Spline Specification — drive wheels typically have an internal keyway, spline, or bolt pattern that transmits torque from the motor

The most reliable method: send us your original wheel dimensions or the OEM part number from your existing wheel.

Popular Polyurethane Wheel Sizes

Quality Control at Kingstream

Every polyurethane wheel we ship is inspected before packing:

• Shore hardness measured at multiple points to confirm consistent polyurethane formulation
• PU-to-hub bond checked for delamination or voids that would cause early failure under load
• Bore diameter and concentricity verified to ensure smooth rotation without runout
• Visual inspection for surface defects, air bubbles, or uneven curing

You receive a forklift polyurethane wheel that is dimensionally accurate and ready to mount — no re-boring or shimming required.

Need a specific forklift polyurethane wheel by size or OEM number? Send us your wheel dimensions for a fast quote. For other body components, browse our complete forklift body parts catalog.