Over the years, a great deal of engineering has gone into refining casters for every imaginable materials handling situation. For “handle with care” loads, revolutionary materials have been developed to minimize vibration, reduce noise, and protect floors. It’s great to know that if you need to move a large, delicate medical device in a hospital, there are casters that can help you do it smoothly and quietly, without a single scratch on the floor. Caster technology has come a long way over the past few decades.
But there’s still plenty of need to move heavy loads in rough, noisy industrial environments, and that’s where there’s no substitute for the time-tested toughness of cast iron. Douglas Equipment has an extensive selection of cast iron plate casters proven to perform outstandingly under the most punishing operating conditions. In business since 1955, we have the expertise to help you determine whether cast iron plate casters are right for your materials and working environment and which models will best suit your needs.
Why Should I Use Cast Iron Plate Casters?
Cast iron has long been a material of choice for caster manufacturers serving industry for a number of reasons:
- It’s tough. Cast iron is a long-wearing material that can take a beating and come back for more. When you’re moving a heavy truck over the concrete floor of a warehouse or mechanical shop, you need to know that your casters can stand up to the shocks and impacts of banging over rough floors, colliding with shop equipment, or rolling over metal chips.
- It’s cost effective. Cast iron is less expensive than forged steel and it lasts a very long time. That means lower repair and replacement costs to you.
- It has a high capacity. Cast iron plate casters can handle loads of up to 4,000 pounds, making them a versatile choice for industrial materials handling.
- It can withstand extreme temperatures. Cast iron can withstand the greatest temperature ranges of almost any caster material, from -45 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You can be confident that cast iron plate casters will perform exceedingly well in extreme cold and heat environments.
- It can get down and dirty. When you need a caster to do the heavy, dirty work, cast iron is hard to beat. Cast iron casters are ideal for handling materials in environments with mild chemical residues, oil or grease, metal chips and shavings, and even animal fats.
When you couple these properties with the strength and versatility of plate fasteners, which can be mounted on a wide variety of truck bases, you have a workhorse of a caster that is indispensable in many industrial applications.
Is cast iron right for every job and environment? It’s a better fit for industrial settings than medical or high-tech environments. Cast iron’s properties don’t mesh well with fragile, shock-sensitive loads or quiet settings. Cast iron casters can be hard on floors, so they shouldn’t be used on non-industrial grade flooring or untreated concrete.
Here at Douglas Equipment, these are a few of the cast iron plate casters we carry.
Colson Series 2 Top Plate Swivel and Rigid Casters
The cast iron models of these 300-pound capacity casters are available with 2 ½-, 3 ½-, 4- and 5-inch diameter wheels. The Colson 45 multi-temperature grease complements the high- and low-temperature extremes that cast iron withstands, with grease holes on the wheel bearings for easy access. The swivel models feature highly durable double-ball hardened raceways and swivel radius from 2 13/32 to 3 3/16 inches depending on wheel size. These casters sport a ⅜-inch hollow axle with lock nut and sleeve wheel bearings. Available brakes are:
- Total lock brake – For 3 ½-, 4- and 5-inch swivel models, locks both wheel and swivel simultaneously. Field installable.
- Top Lock Brake – For all swivel models with solid axle only. Field installable.
- Directional Lock – Available with standard top plate only.
Colson Series 3 Top Plate Swivel and Rigid Casters
The cast iron models in this series build on the Colson Series 2 with a higher capacity (400 pounds) and larger wheel diameters in the cast iron models (3, 4, 5, and 6 inches). A permanent kingpin and reinforcing washer on the upper and lower raceway gives this caster an extra secure swivel. All Series 3 models come with top lock brakes.
Shepherd Bassick Diamond Series
This medium- to heavy-duty plate caster brings plenty of muscle to the job, carrying 800, 1,000, and 1,200 pounds respectively for the 4-, 5-, and 6-inch cast iron models. Heat-treated raceways and fully welded legs give this caster superior strength, and the ¾-inch nut and bolt kingpin provide a durable solution to wear from uneven loads. Optional tread brakes and field installable bolt-on swivel locks are available. This caster is an excellent performer on warehouse trucks, floor trucks, and shop carts.
Shepherd Bassick Honcho HA-HB Series
This wide-wheeled, heavy-duty roughneck is a top selection for heavy loads over rough floors. Available in 5-, 6-, and 8-inch swivel and rigid models, these casters boast a 2 ½-inch tread width to push capacity to 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. For maximum strength, the 1-inch kingbolt is forged integrally into the top plate, and its legs are fully welded inside and out. The swivel section features a tapered roller bearing for optimal free-swiveling performance. This beefy caster is an invaluable component for fixture trucks, assembly line trucks, and heavy engine stands.
A Cast-Iron Commitment to Customer Service
Cast iron plate casters are a key part of our inventory here at Douglas Equipment, but we have a tremendous supply of other caster makes and models to suit any material handling job. We have many options and ideas that may be just right for you. Our knowledgeable and friendly customer support staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our cast iron plate casters or any other casters that would be appropriate for your needs. Contact us online, or if you’re local to South Florida, call us at 305-888-3700. National customers can call us at 800-451-0030.
