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6 Essential Criteria For Selecting The Best Caster Wheel
A caster is more than just a wheel. In fact, it is often considered as the evolution of the wheel because of the myriad of uses one gets out of it. Since casters have been around for so long, they have branched out into various types of wheels. So how does one select the best leveling caster?
We need to consider multiple factors when shopping for the best leveling caster wheels. Once you have narrowed down what you want out of your caster, you will be able to select the ideal caster wheels for your line of work:
Types of Caster
There are two main types of casters available in the market, and every other type of caster is a sub-type of those two options. These are:
Swivel Casters – These caster wheels can rotate 360 degrees, which is why they offer high maneuverability and are perfect for moving heavy loads around the warehouse. They can be used to move industrial equipment and furniture. The bigger the wheel, the larger the load it can carry. There are different types of swivel casters, including kingpinless casters, stem casters, locking casters, and plate casters
Rigid Casters – As the name suggests, rigid casters are fixed in place or "rigid." They simply feature a wheel between a bracket, so there is no swivel motion. Rigid leveling caster wheels are perfect for moving hefty loads around the warehouse. Since there is no swivel, the rigid caster can only maneuver the object forward or backward, which helps carry heavy loads. Most rigid casters come with a brake, which helps control movement.
Kingpinless Swivel Casters – These casters are a special type of swivel caster that eliminates all the shortcomings of a swivel caster. A regular swivel caster is held together by a kingpin, which bears all the stress that the caster undergoes. So a traditional swivel caster gives in under very high loads and rough surfaces. A Kingpinless Swivel Caster is not held by a bolt or rivet, which is why it can bear higher stress levels, making it more durable under heavy loads or rough surfaces.
Load Bearing
Keep in mind the kind of load you will need to move around to select the best type of caster for it. The heavier the load, the bigger the wheel you must use. Having a load measurement on hand is helpful. For example, a load that is over 250 pounds will require bearings.
The load of the object is not the only load you have to consider, though. Keep the shock load or the impact load in mind as well. This refers to the impact that the cart experiences the moment it receives a load or when the cart bumps into an obstruction or a rough surface. The maximum load your cart will have to bear will determine the kind of caster perfect for it.
Wheel Type
The most important consideration for a leveling caster wheel is its size. Larger wheels can bear heavier loads and are easy to maneuver. Naturally, for higher loads, you will need a larger wheel.
Other than that, the material and finish of the wheel will also determine its durability in your line of work. Common materials used to make wheels include soft rubber, hard rubber, and steel. Steel wheels are resistant to most chemical damage and rusting and can also bear heavy loads. Rubber wheels are not harsh to most types of flooring, do not cause noise pollution, and are resistant to harsh weather conditions.
The type of tread is also crucial when selecting a wheel. The two main types of tread are donut and flat. A donut tread does not cause sound pollution and cushion against obstructions in the wheel's path. Flat wheel treads can carry large loads.
Bearing
If your caster requires bearings, here are the main types:
Plain bearings – These are the most commonly used bearings. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and compact while still capable of carrying heavy loads.
Roller Bearings – These can carry loads while minimizing friction. Roller bearings are self-aligned so which is why they can offset misalignment issues.
Precision ball bearings are also used to carry loads while minimizing friction. They offer high precision, which is why they are used in specific industries such as the aviation industry or robotics. These bearings do not cause any noise pollution.
General Environment
Your facility's environment also plays a role in determining the type of caster you need.
Firstly, you must consider the flooring in your facility. The tread material and the diameter of the wheel will depend on the surface it will have to move on. For example, there could be cracks and other impediments such as debris along the path of the leveling wheel. Other than that, there could be potholes that need to be filled in. Maybe you work in a facility where the floors are prone to such damage due to chemicals and high weight loads, so a one-time repair will not be enough to make a low load-bearing wheel work.
The type of leveling caster will also depend on the temperature conditions in the facility. Extreme temperatures such as cold storage or an oven can drastically reduce the lifespan of the caster, so you will have to choose carefully.
Corrosive chemicals can also damage the caster fairly quickly. So you need to ensure that the type of caster you select does not react with any chemicals in your line of work.
Ergonomics
Lastly, it is imperative that you pick a leveling caster that is easy on the workers required to maneuver it. You need to reduce the force the workers exert on the cart to push or pull them. The caster wheels should be able to carry the stress of the load instead of the workers. With damaged flooring and debris, the workers will have to exert larger forces on the cart to move them, negatively impacting their health if the right kinds of caster wheels are not chosen.
