What is the difference between non-marking tires and standard tires on forklifts?

Non-marking tires are made of light, soot-free solid rubber and do not leave black marks on sensitive floors. They are preferably used in indoor areas such as warehouses, clean rooms or food production. In contrast, standard tires (marking tires) can cause visible abrasion marks on smooth or sensitive surfaces because they contain soot and dark rubber compounds.

Non-marking tires for telehandlers & roto-stackers

Q: What are non-marking tires?

“Non-marking tires” is an alternative name for non-marking tires The term describes tires that no visible traces or “Chalk streaks” on sensitive floors – especially on smooth industrial floors, in warehouses, supermarkets or clean rooms. Characteristics of non-marking tires: Light solid rubber, soot-free No abrasion or discoloration on the floor Particularly suitable for indoor areas Often prescribed or recommended by the client They differ from standard tires in their material composition and are ideal for applications where Cleanliness and floor protection are important.

Zusammenfassung

Non-marking tires for telehandlers: useful & often requested

In sensitive indoor areas such as halls, clean rooms or during exhibition construction,non-marking tiresunsightly scuff marks on sensitive floors. They are made of light-colored solid rubber, are abrasion-resistant, and contain no soot. Their use is not legally required, but is often requested – for example, in food production or at events.

However, they are unsuitable for off-road use– robust tires are needed here.For short indoor projects, tire covers are a flexible but only temporary solution.

Not every floor forgives marks.

Whether in the production hall, during trade fair setup, or in sensitive indoor areas: Anyone working with heavy machinery needs to know what's happening beneath the tires . Because conventional industrial tires can quickly leave behind abrasion , which is not only annoying but also expensive.

In this guide, you will learn when non-marking tires are mandatory for telehandlers , where they are useful , and what alternatives there are – from permanently abrasion-free solutions to temporary tire covers .

What are non-marking tires?

definition

Non-marking tires are usually made of abrasion-resistant, light-colored solid rubber (e.g., gray or beige). They do not contain soot , which would leave dark marks when rolling on sensitive surfaces.

Advantages

no black stripes on hall floors
no additional cleaning costs
better customer acceptance at events, trade fairs, in industrial halls

Disadvantages

shorter lifespan than standard tires
more expensive to purchase and replace
less robust for rough outdoor use

Areas of application

When non-marking tires are necessary on the telehandler

Typical locations

Epoxy resin or PU floors in warehouses
Clean rooms, clinics, commercial kitchens
Trade fair construction, event halls
Parking garages, shopping centers
Food industry / pharmaceuticals / chemicals

Important:

In many cases, non-marking tires are not required by law , but are contractually required by the client – especially in sensitive infrastructure or customer contact.

When non-marking tires are not a good choice for telehandlers

As practical as non-marking tires are for indoor use, they are only suitable to a limited extent for purely outdoor use or rough terrain . The soft rubber compound is less resistant to sharp surfaces, mud, gravel, or unpaved surfaces . Even with extreme temperature fluctuations and heavy, continuous use, wear can be significantly higher than with standard tires.

Our practical tip:

If you work on outdoor construction sites , in quarries , on farmland or on slopes , it is better to use classic off-road tires - or use a hybrid model with an interchangeable option.

Alternatives

Tire covers for telehandlers

For short-term indoor use, there are also so-called tire covers or tire socks made of textile or rubber.

Advantages:

inexpensive to purchase
flexible use
ideal for mixed applications (indoor/outdoor)

Disadvantages:

not suitable for difficult driving maneuvers
slipping if installed incorrectly
often only practical for smooth floors
not available for every tire design

Tip:

Tire covers are particularly suitable for lightweight machines with short indoor travel distances . For frequent use or higher weights, non-marking tires are significantly safer and more stable .

Tire covers in use on a rotary forklift – ideal temporary floor protection for short indoor projects with sensitive surfaces.

Our practical tip: Weigh up the effort – and remain flexible

If you regularly carry out indoor projects, non-marking tires are also a must for telehandlers – either through permanently equipped machines or cleverly planned operations.

For one-off or very short-term jobs , it is often more economical to temporarily rent a machine with non-marking tires instead of converting.

At BIBERGER, for example, we offer Merlo and Magni roto stackers with optional non-marking tires – available immediately, even for days or weeks .

We would be happy to advise you on this.

Conclusion

Non-marking tires are not a gimmick – they are often necessary.

Whether you are converting permanently or need a short-term solution: it is crucial to realistically assess the soil, the application and the machine requirements .

Because avoiding marks is often easier than polishing them away later.