Tread geometry and drive characteristics

Especially in areas where heavily loaded transport equipment has to be moved manually, ergonomic considerations focus on rolling resistance and swivel resistance. The lower these values are, the easier and safer it is to move the transport equipment. This means these two factors can be heavily influenced by the shape and the selection of appropriate materials.

Specifically, flat treads have a wide contact area, which results in better stability and a lower and therefore more floor-friendly surface pressure compared to crowned running surfaces. On the other hand, the contact area of crowned treads is considerably smaller, so the design is more notable for its lower swivel and rolling resistance.

However, this can change if (excessively) high loads occur. As soon as the contact pressure increases, the force transfer across the tread increases. The result: When the wheel is in motion, the loaded tread material deforms causing the rolling and swivel resistances increase. Therefore, for heavy loads, flat tread profiles are usually preferred.

Our experts are ready to help you find exactly the right design to suit your specific requirements, and will also be happy to develop a completely individual tread geometry.