If you are looking to make moving big objects easier, there are very few ways that work as well as using casters. Casters allow you to roll and maneuver an object rather than struggling to push or pull it into place. Casters not only make the job easier on the person doing it, but can also decrease the shock to the equipment being moved.
However, not all casters are created equal, and if you are looking for a caster to perform in a high intensity and abusive environment then you want to make sure you get the right one. The wrong choice can lead to early caster wear or even premature caster failure. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a caster for these applications.
Do You Need A Heavy Duty Caster?
When people think of high intensity, abusive applications they will often first think of extremely heavy loads. In general, casters come in three broad categories: light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty. For the job requiring a caster to move the heaviest objects, a heavy-duty caster is the way to go. Here are a few to consider:
- EHD Series, Extra Heavy Duty Casters: Designed by Hamilton Casters for heavy industrial applications where it is necessary to ensure dependable operation. These casters are used in industries like shipbuilding, jet engine factories, and heavy equipment manufacturers. The casters are machined from drop-forged steel for a rugged and easy swivel operation. The casters include HPI premium raceways that are CNC-machined & hardened. Load capacity ranges from 840 – 10,000 lbs. with wheel diameters of 6” to 12”.
- Strong Man TSH: Rhombus manufactures this heavy steel welded caster to include a special turntable with a pressed ball track to provide the swivel action and easy maneuverability. The zinc passivized caster will easily carry a load capacity of 1400 Kg. Also included are tapered roller bearings, grease filled to allow for easy rolling and a grease nipple in the fork head for maintenance.
Do You Need a Caster for Extreme Temperatures?
Another application that can cause abuse to casters is extreme temperatures. A caster is made up of many components such as brakes, forks and axles, and most of these are not temperature sensitive. The factors that determine the optimal temperature capacity of a caster are typically the wheel material and a temperature resistant grease used to lubricate the wheel. Choosing a wheel material such as performa rubber, cast iron, moldon rubber, phenolic, or polyolefin are all suitable for temperature extremes. One example of a caster with this temperature tolerance is:
- Colson Kingpinless Enforcer Swivel and Matching Rigid: The Enforcer casters from Colson have options that can make these casters extremely temperature resistant. For instance, the wheels can be manufactured out of performa rubber, cast iron, Moldon rubber or phenolic resin among other materials that can function within a range of -45 degrees Fahrenheit to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The grease used to lubricate the caster can be a multi-temperature grease that is designed for extreme temperatures. This caster also includes a zinc plated finish that is attractive and durable, as well as the kingpinless swivel design that eliminates swivel section failure due to shock and stretching of the kingpin. Caster capacities range from 680 – 4500 pounds to suit any needs you may have. Wheels come in diameters of 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12”.
Will You Need Protection from High Humidity?
Another operation that can cause undue wear and fatigue on casters is use in a high humidity environment. One place where this becomes common is in industries such as medical or lab industries when carts with casters need to be thoroughly cleaned in a disinfecting cabinet. In these sorts of applications, or anywhere else where humidity can affect casters, rust can be a problem if your caster materials are not chosen properly. Here are some casters designed to combat this problem:
- Darcor Super Roll Hospital Casters: Darcor has been supplying hospitals for over 60 years with casters for use on medicine carts, hospital beds, portable ultrasound machines, crash carts and kitchen equipment. Caster finish options are nickel chrome finish and zinc finish for good rust resistance. Their neoprene super roll casters are non-marking and can be used on almost any floor surface. This caster is designed with a cam action tread locking mechanism which easily engages and disengages the brake by the touch of a toe, and the brake is within the swivel radius of the caster to avoid interference. These stem casters are available in 4” and 5” wheel diameters with load capacities of 275 pounds and 325 pounds respectively.
- Medcaster Next Generation Nylon (NG): These maintenance free, sealed precision bearing casters are smooth and quiet for use on food service equipment, case carts, utility carts, medical equipment, hospital carts and institutional equipment. The top plate is zinc plated and the wheels have a recessed axle with plastic covers for a clean look. Wheel materials are quikStart TPR and anti-microbial TPR. Wheel diameters are 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” with capacities of 200 pounds, 275 pounds, 260 pounds and 300 pounds, respectively. These casters come with total lock brakes to hold both the swivel and the wheel easily.
High Quality Service When You Need It
When you are trying to pick the right caster for the task at hand, especially when that task is tough and arduous, you want the kind of help and customer service that comes with almost 60 years of working with casters. Douglas Equipment has been in the business of quality casters and material handling equipment since 1955. Our dedicated team of professionals have gained the knowledge and experience needed to help you pick the right caster for your unique application.
If you are ready to move forward with your project, our team can be contacted online, and we will get back to you as soon as possible to answer all of your questions. From our location in South Florida, we can easily service the entire United States, and also quickly ship products to South America and the Caribbean. If you are local to Miami why not give us a call at 305-888-3700? National customers can call us toll free at 800-451-0030. Our team is waiting to help work through your caster needs.
