We get a lot of questions about casters. We’ve assembled some of the most common questions we hear here.
Load per caster is not necessarily taking the total load and dividing by the number of casters to be used (as the load is typically not evenly distributed over all of the casters). In most applications, the load is centered over at least three of the casters, meaning that each caster should handle one third of the load.
Floor conditions are a very important factor in determining the proper caster. On rougher floor settings, there is more likelihood that the load will not be evenly distributed over the total number of casters. Hardwood floors need a much different wheel type than cement in order to prevent damage.
The diameter of the caster wheel plays a large role in mobility. Typically, the larger the wheel, the easier that it will roll.
The environmental factors (water, oil, acids, corrosive materials, or temperature) greatly affect the necessary caster. There are a variety of wheel options that are designed for such reasons.
Choosing the caster that is best for the application is also determined by how the unit is moved. Ergonomic casters are designed to provide an ease of rolling for manually pushed units. Different bearings are options for powered units to provide length in the life of the casters. Speed also comes into play when selecting casters.
Determining the number of swivel and rigid casters is necessary to ensure the proper mobility of the unit. More swivel casters provide ease when moving the unit into tight spaces. A unit using all swivel casters will be difficult to push long distances.
There are a variety of mounting alternatives for various casters (i.e. Plate, Stem, Hollow Kingpin, etc.). When selecting the caster, be sure to have the appropriate measurements of the mounting device.
Enter your name and email address to subscribe to our newsletter featuring the latest in material handling and storage solutions (opt out at anytime).
