15 November 2015

Factors To Consider When Picking Heavy Duty Casters

By Mattie Knight


The type of casters and wheels a trolley or any kind of equipment is installed with affect its productivity and that of workers. Productivity and long term cost maybe maximized as investment earns the greatest return by investing in the proper kind of heavy duty casters. Therefore, it is worth investing some time to do research and selecting the right type and model. The purpose of this writing is to educate people on the factors to never forget when faced with the decision of choosing wheels and casters.

The first consideration should be the load per caster. It is advisable to exceed the load per caster by at least thirty percent to ensure safe application of the device. This figure can be calculated by dividing the total weight that the equipment is supposed to move by the number of wheels that will be installed less one. One caster is excluded because it is assumed that no floor can ever be perfectly flat and so the weight is always supported by fewer wheels.

The next factor is the speed. Manufacturers have designed the devices to be used at different speeds when carrying certain amount of weight. This speed must never be exceeded. When doing calculations, one should always consider the worst case scenario so that they account for discrepancies. Manufacturers can help with duplicating the application to reach at the right figures.

The floor condition should be considered next. Newly cemented or other types of floors offer a very good surface for the wheels to move without trouble. However, if the floors have holes and other kinds of defects, they can cause some real damage within a short time if the casters selected are of the wrong type. If the floors have defects, one should consider high-rise wheels.

Wheels also damage floors. Running metallic casters over wooden or ceramic floors damages them. It is better to buy devices with softer wheels if one wants to preserve softer floors. Many companies produce soft wheels made out of plastic and other softer materials.

Wheel movement varies among models. There are two main types of movement, that is, unidirectional and multidirectional. Unidirectional devices maintain a straight course during movement, while multidirectional ones can rotate through 360 degrees and move into any direction. How the caster is attached to the vehicle also differ. Some use screw-ons or plates while others use stems. Mode of movement is supported by method of attachment. One must be straight with their facts and requirements before buying casters.

Modern technological advancements have led to two main ways through which casters are driven, manual and mechanical. Rate of movement is low in manual models, but the reduce force exerted over the wheels. On the contrary, mechanized models do not reduce force on wheels but are faster. Durability is highly reduced in mechanized models because of failure to reduce force exertion on the wheels.

Finally, one should consider the features incorporated to the device. Some of the most common features include locks, anti-bacterial material, and shock absorbency. Locks are important for controlling free movement of the equipment the wheels are attached onto. Additionally, when used in homes, locks are useful in keeping pets and children safe.




About the Author: