If you think about it, you probably see and use casters every day. When you go to the grocery store, casters are found on the bottom of every shopping cart. Casters are oftentimes attached to office chairs and they are commonly fixed to various furniture pieces in industrial and residential settings. Casters make life simpler by allowing objects to move quickly and easily.
Douglas Equipment, an authorized distributor of top-grade casters, wheels, and material handling equipment, is a proud supplier of Colson Casters. For many years Colson has manufactured high quality and long-lasting casters. Colson is recognized as a leader in the industry throughout the world.
So we thought you’d be interested in knowing 4 fun facts about Colson and the casters they manufacture.
Fun Fact #1:
Colson Has Been Making Casters For a Long Time!
Colson’s company history can be traced back to 1885 when Winslow L. Fay first founded the company in Elyria, Ohio. At this time it was known as Fay Manufacturing and the company was soon sold to Arthur L. Garford, who renamed the company Garford Manufacturing Company. In 1903, the company had switched owners once again and was called The Worthington Company. The Worthington Company was recognized as a manufacturer of tricycles, invalid chairs, wheel chairs, carts, and casters made with rubber tread.
In 1917, Fred Colson purchased The Worthington Company and changed the name to The Colson Company. Mr. Colson expanded the caster line and added hospital wheeled equipment and industrial material handling equipment to the product line. In 1953, a man named Jay Pritzker and his brother Robert, purchased the company and relocated it to Arkansas.
Fun Fact #2:
Colson Offers 200,000-Plus Different Standard Caster Models
Colson’s product lines of casters and wheels have defined the caster industry for 131 years. Known as an industry leader, Colson provides customers with the most complete product offering in the world with over 200,000 different standard caster models.
1 Series
Colson’s 1 Series casters have a tread width of 7/8-inch. Customers can choose between a range of wheel diameters, including: 1-5/8-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, and 5-inch. 1 Series casters can hold 60 to 145 lbs. and feature a side lock brake.
2 Series
With a capacity of 125 to 325 lbs., Colson’s 2 Series casters come in a tread width of 1-1/4-inch and 1-15/32-inch. Wheel diameters for this caster option include 2-1/2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, and 5-inch. The 2 Series casters can feature top lock, total lock, direction lock, and tech lock brakes.
3 Series
With a tread width of 1-1/2-inch, the 3 Series casters can suit a wheel diameter of 3, 4, 5, or 6-inches. The 3 Series casters can hold 250 to 800 lbs. each and feature a top lock brake.
4 Series
The 4 Series casters are available with a tread width of 1-1/2-inch and 2-inch. They can accommodate wheel diameters of 3-inch, 3-1/4-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch. The 4 Series casters can hold anywhere from 225 to 1,500 lbs. each and can feature tech lock, total lock, top lock, tread lock, side lock, or swivel lock brakes.
6 Series
Featuring tread lock, side lock, or swivel lock brakes, the 6 Series casters can withstand 300 to 2,000 lbs. each. They are suitable for wheels with diameters of 5, 4, 6, 8 and 10-inches, and they are available in tread widths of 2-inches or 2-1/2-inches.
7 Series
With 2-1/2-inch or 3-inch tread widths and suitable for wheels with diameters of 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10-inch diameters, 7 Series casters have a capacity of 300 to 2,000 lbs. each. They are available with tread lock, side lock, and swivel lock brakes.
8 Series
8 Series casters are manufactured with a 2-1/2-inch or 3-inch tread width and are suitable for wheel diameters for 6, 8, 10, and 12-inch wheel diameters. 8 Series casters can hold 540 to 6,000 lbs. each and feature tread lock or swivel lock brakes.
Fun Fact #3:
There are Many Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Casters
There are a number of varying factors to consider before you choose the caster that is right for your need.
Load Weight
To choose the best caster for your need, consider the amount of weight the casters need to be able to support. Every caster has an individual maximum capacity. For example Colson’s Commander HD caster can hold 2,160 to 7,200 lbs. each. This means 4 Colson Commander HD casters can support 8,640 to 28,800 lbs. together. Looking at it a different way, if you want to put 4 casters on a 500 lb. dresser, then you will need 4 casters with an individual capacity of 125 lbs.
Keep in mind that when you have a heavier load to support, a larger wheel is required. Also, if the load exceeds 400 lbs., roller or ball bearings are recommended.
Floor Conditions
Before settling on a caster and wheel choice for your project, make sure you consider floor conditions. For example, if you want to protect linoleum or tile floors from mark-ups, consider purchasing polyurethane or Performa rubber wheels. Also, check the floors for large cracks or moldings. It is in your best interest to purchase casters and wheels that are capable of moving over any obstructions in the flooring quickly and easily.
Rolling Ease
Remember: the bigger the wheel, the easier it rolls. If you have a load on the heavier side, choose roller bearings. Ball bearings roll easier but are more suitable for lesser loads.
Fun Fact #4:
Colson Makes Products Capable of Surviving Extreme Environments
Colson Casters 2 Series stainless steel casters are manufactured to withstand the most challenging environments, including: laboratories, food and dairy processing locations, and manufacturing sites. The entire 2 Series stainless steel caster is made from 304-grade stainless steel. The 2 Series stainless steel casters feature Colson’s tech lock brake and are also available in top lock and total lock brake options.
Colson Casters 4 Series Encore Glass Filled Nylon wheels feature a thermoplastic compound that resists hard impacts and drop-shocks. This particular wheel resists most chemicals, solvents, salts, gases and alkaline. It also repels steam and water. This particular wheel is a great selection for industrial and institutional locations.
Buy Colson Casters Today with Douglas Equipment
To view Colson’s entire product line, visit Douglas Equipment’s website today. Contact Douglas Equipment with any questions by calling 1-800-451-0030 or fill out our online contact form. Learn more about Douglas Equipment and all of the wheels, casters, and material handling equipment we supply by visiting our website and viewing our inventory.
