Here at Douglas Equipment, we can boast about our history all the way back to the 1950s, but regarding longevity, Colson has us beat! As a company, Colson can trace its roots all the way back to 1885 – that’s well over 125 years ago. It’s easy to see that Colson is a company you can really rely on since it’s been successful for such a long time.
If your company uses casters on a regular basis, then Colson Casters offers a wide array of options. Below we’ll dive in to a few examples of Colson Casters that are used by a wide array of customers located all around the world.
For Everyday Use – Turn to the 1 Series
The 1 Series is the real nuts and bolts of Colson’s caster range. For general purposes, you can’t really go wrong with a 1 Series Top Plate caster.
Specs
The caster has a zinc-plated finish that is both durable and attractive. It has a full, double-ball hardened raceway that provides it with greater durability and ensures a better, more consistent performance. It has a 5/16” shoulder axle with a 1/4” nut, and uses the exclusive ‘Colson 45’ multi-temp grease that provides excellent lubrication in extreme environments, both hot and cold.
The 1 Series Performa Wheel
The 1 Series caster is provided with a unique Performa wheel, which offers the advantages of both soft and hard treads all in a single wheel that performs exceptionally at all times. Not only does a Performa wheel roll easily, it’s also extremely durable and can be relied upon to provide excellent service throughout its lifetime. Unlike most durable wheels, the Performa wheel rolls without making excessive noise. This excellent news for your employees! It will also offer protection to your floor without fear of marking, scratching, or any other damage. The cushioning abilities of this wheel allows it to be resistant to impact, and will not break when it encounters obstructions.
The Performa wheel is also flexible in all climate and temperatures and will not grind to a halt if used in icy or wet conditions. It’s resistant to all but the most corrosive chemicals, and typical floor debris such as metal shavings will not become embedded within it. The Performa wheel consists of a non-marking tread made from thermoplastic elastomer that is bonded to a ribbed wheel core that’s manufactured from polyolefin.
With the 1 Series, caster thread guards are available on all 3-inch models. Side lock brakes are also available and are crimped so that they seize the wheel at four separate points of contact, providing exceptional holding power. The brakes are activated via a foot pedal. Note that brakes cannot be used in conjunction with thread guards.
For a Bit More Resilience – Choose the 3 Series
If you need a Colson Caster that is necessary for more heavy-duty use, then the 3 Series is for you. Just like the 1 Series, 3 Series casters are zinc-plate finished with double-ball hardened raceways, and ‘Colson 45’ multi-temp grease lubrication. These casters are also supplied with Performa wheels.
Specs
However, the 3 Series has a 3/8” hollow axle with a locking nut, and is constructed with a permanent rivet kingpin, and a reinforcing washer on both the upper and lower raceways (swivel models only). For extra lubrication, the caster has wheel-bearing grease holes.
The 3 Series range of swivel casters can be supplied with top locks for greater security. This locking brake provides the caster with a firm braking action by securing a rubber brake directly against the wheel’s surface. The lock is spring loaded, and the nature of the lock means that thread guards can be used with this brake. Brake pedals are constructed from .090 steel, and are zinc plated for a sharp appearance.
The standard bearings used with this caster are roller bearings, but other bearings are available:
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Roller bearings
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Metal cage
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Metal thrust and retainer washer
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Sintered iron step washers
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Sealed metal retainer washer
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Delrin Bearing
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Pedestal Precision Ball Bearing
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Bronze Bearing
How to Choose Which Colson Caster is Right for You?
There are a number of factors you need to consider when deciding which item from Colson’s wide range of casters is right for your specific application:
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Weight of Load –
This is quite simple, really – the heavier the load, the larger the wheel. Loads have an effect on mobility, so larger wheels provide easier traction. For loads of 400 lbs. and over, choose casters with roller or ball bearings.
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Condition of Floor –
For softer surfaces such as tiles and carpeting, choose either polyurethane or Performa wheels. For uneven, cracked or debris-strewn floors, choose larger wheels.
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Non-typical conditions –
If your caster is required to work in an environment where oils, acids and other chemicals are present, then you must not choose rubber wheels, as they will damage easily. Instead, choose polyolefin, polyurethane, phenolic or steel wheels. Rubber wheels should only be used in clean environments with hard floors in order to minimize noise.
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Extreme Environments –
All Colson casters will work effectively at normal room temperatures and in most climates. However, special care must be taken when selecting casters to use in harsher environments that are extremely cold or hot. Colson supplies all their casters with ‘Colson 45’ lubrication that aids your caster to roll in even the harshest environments. However, some types of casters cannot be used in certain environments – always check with your supplier before making a purchase.
Need a Little More Advice? Contact the Team at Douglas Equipment
The professionals at Colson Casters does not allow just anyone to stock their products – they expect certain standards and levels of knowledge and customer care. We’re proud to say that Douglas Equipment is one of the leading suppliers of Colson Casters in the United States.
To speak to one of our support team members, give us a call at 1-800-451-0030 today, or reach out to us via email through our contact form. We’d love to help you find the perfect set of Colson Casters for your unique needs.
