Casters are small wheels that can be attached to furniture and equipment for faster and safer mobility. There are two main types of casters: Rigid casters and swivel casters. Swivel casters have the ability to move in all directions, and they are commonly used on furniture and heavy equipment. Rigid casters, on the other hand, can only move forward and backwards, and they are primarily used to move equipment in a straight line.
Each caster is made up of several common components. These include the frame (mounting plate), legs and wheel. The frame is attached to the bottom of the object being moved. Two legs are attached to the frame, which support the wheel. Swivel casters, though, have a bearing just above the legs, which allows the caster to swivel. Finally, the two legs hold the axle, which supports the wheel.
Casters can be attached to a piece of equipment in a number of ways, including stems and by bolting the mounting plate to the equipment. Casters can have stems that point up from the frame, and that are made of rubber, metal or a threaded material. These are attached by placing the stem into an outlet in the equipment. Casters can also be attached by bolting or welding the mounting plate to the equipment, which is the most common type of connection.
Factors to Consider When Buying Casters
When buying a caster wheel, there are a number of things you’ll need to keep in mind. For example, choosing a rigid caster vs. double ball bearing caster will cause mobility issues, as rigid casters aren’t able to swivel. Additionally, you’ll need to consider the number of casters that you will need and the capacity of the casters. Be sure to consider:
Capacity: Casters are designed to accommodate loads of a certain capacity. In general, there are small and medium capacity wheels, as well as heavy-duty casters. You don’t want to overload or reach the maximum capacity, as this will make it difficult to move the load manually. Instead, aim for loading at about half the capacity of the caster for easier moving. For example, if you’ll be moving a 200kg load, choose caster wheels that are rated for 400kg or better; this will increase the mobility. But if the load will be moved mechanically, you can put more weight on the wheel.
Mobility: Rigid and double bearing casters are used in a number of different applications, but you’ll run into trouble if you need to swivel but have installed a fixed caster. If you’re unsure, you can choose a swivel caster with a locking feature to prevent the bearing from moving. In applications with four wheels, sometimes two rigid caster and two swivel casters are used to allow the equipment to move in a straight line, while the swivel will help steer the object.
Attachments: Again, casters can be attached with either a mounting plate or with a stem. Mounting plates are the most common type, and they can be attached to the bottom of a trolley or wooden pushcart. Stems require an outlet in the equipment, so if you choose a stemmed caster, be sure it will fit into the available outlet. Stemmed casters are useful for stationary equipment, as they can be removed, once the equipment is in place.
Braking and Locking: Some casters have a brake or locking feature. This allows the wheel to be locked in place, which is useful when the object will remain stationary for extended periods of time. For example, musical equipment is often affixed with this type of caster. Thus, during the performance, they can be locked in place, and moved quickly following the show.
Wheel Type: Caster wheels are made from a variety of materials. For standard applications, wheels may be constructed from durable plastics. This will maximize rollability, while keeping costs low. Other applications may require an anti-skid wheel with added traction.
Deelat.com offers a range of quality medium capacity and heavy duty casters. We offer some of the best prices for caster wheels online. Start shopping for casters today!
Close Menu