Until you’ve had to sit down and think about it, not many people consider how to move heavy equipment around. Not only do you have to think about what kind of platform or frame is supporting the equipment during the moving process, but the wheels and casters that ensure mobility under an enormous amount of weight are important as well. Is the key to counting on the best option in heavy-duty casters for moving heavy machinery. You need to consider the type of wheel and the type of flooring surface, the dimensions of the equipment, and the required mobility. Do you plan on moving equipment across hard wood flooring, or is it concrete or tile? Do you need a caster that swivels to be effectively mobile in tight corners? Or are you looking for a caster that needs to move forward without additional maneuvering?
Douglas Equipment has been the largest provider of casters in South Florida going back many years now. We were founded in 1955 and had almost sixty years of experience in caster and material handling equipment. We know just about everything there is to know about casters and can provide the kind of in-depth knowledge you will need to find the caster that suits your needs. We work with our commercial clients in various industries such as the hospitality, hotel, and moving industries, we also work with residential clients as well. Everybody needs help determining how to best move heavy objects safely and in a way that will not damage the object or the environment. Below, some of our finest casters and wheels are more than suited to help move heavy machinery.
ES/ER Series Caster
This caster was designed with impact and abuse in mind. It has a drawn single-piece leg construction which reduces the vulnerabilities of more than one piece. It has a heavy-duty kingpin as well. A kingpin is one of the most time tested ways of creating the swivel section of the caster. It’s a stem on the top plate that fastens the top plate with the swivel section. Having a heavy-duty kingpin will ensure mobility and a reduced risk of damage.Additionally, this caster has large diameter raceways and heat-treated dual ball bearings. This design helps ensure that the caster delivers mobility under adverse conditions. This caster has a rated capacity of 600 to 1,500 pounds.This caster comes with various wheel options, depending on the size. They are:
• Hard or Soft Rubber – This wheel provides great floor protection from scuff marks and scratches. It operates quietly and has a temperature range of -20 degrees F to 160 degrees F.
• Phenolic Resin – This type of wheel is a resin design that is filled with macerated fabric. It’s quieter than steel and aluminum wheels and also protects the flooring surface. It’s impact-resistant, moisture resistant, and is resistant to many chemicals. It has a maximum temperature range of -45 to 250 degrees F.
• Urethane on Aluminum (Honcho) – This wheel has a unique urethane formulation that combines with a specially designed interlocking system. It’s one of the toughest, most durable wheels out there. It offers a high load capacity with superb floor protection.
• Steel – The steel wheel is almost unbreakable and resistant to a high amount of wear and tear. It can also withstand high shock impacts. It’s a great wheel if floor protection and noise are not a factor. It has a temperature range of -45 to 500 degrees.
HA/HB Series Caster
This is one of the best casters available for heavy-duty fixture trucks, engine stands, and assembly line dollies. These casters are rugged with free swiveling. This gives you a highly mobile caster and has a long life span. The caster has a heavy forged steel top plate and legs. It also has a tapered bearing for the kingpin load with a 1-inch Kingbolt integrated into the top plate. The wheels are 2 ½” wide to provide greater control for load handling. The legs are welded on both the inside and outside for greater abuse resistance. This caster is useful for abusive applications where flooring conditions are not a factor. This caster has a capacity of 2,000 to 3,000 lbs.This caster comes with three heavy-duty wheel options:
• Steel – The steel wheel is almost unbreakable and resistant to a high amount of wear and tear. It can also withstand high shock impacts. It’s a great wheel if floor protection and noise are not a factor. It has a temperature range of -45 to 500 degrees F.
• Cast Iron – This wheel is useful for high capacity loads and sharp impacts. However, it should only be used when flooring and noise aren’t considerations.
• V-Groove – This wheel is designed for track or floor operation on a production line. The wheels have reinforced sections at maximum stress points.
8 Series Caster
This caster was designed to withstand heavy loads. It’s designed with a capacity of up to 6,000 lbs and is highly abuse-resistant. It has formed fork leads with robotic welding inside and out that are 3/8 inched thick and 3 inches wide. It features a single ball hardened swivel raceway construction. It also has recessed zerk grease fittings on the raceway to prevent damage. The multi-temperature grease will lubricate the caster in extreme high and low temperatures.This caster comes with several wheel options:
• Performa Rubber – This wheel rolls easily and is highly durable like a hard tread wheel. It rolls quietly and protects the flooring like a soft tread wheel. It’s resistant to chemicals, water and steam. It offers continuous performance from -45 to 180 degrees F.
• Phenolic Resin – This type of wheel is a resin design that is filled with macerated fabric. It’s quieter than steel and aluminum wheels and also protects the flooring surface. It’s impact-resistant, moisture resistant, and is resistant to many chemicals. It has a maximum temperature range of -45 to 250 degrees F.
• Hard Rubber – This wheel provides great floor protection from scuff marks and scratches. It operates quietly and has a temperature range of -20 degrees F to 160 degrees F.
• Cast Iron – This wheel is useful for high-capacity loads and sharp impacts. However, it should only be used when flooring and noise aren’t considerations.
• Steel – The steel wheel is almost unbreakable and resistant to a high amount of wear and tear. It can also withstand high shock impacts. It’s a great wheel if floor protection and noise are not a factor. It has a temperature range of -45 to 500 degrees F.
• V Groove – This wheel is designed for track or floor operation on a production line. The wheels have reinforced sections at maximum stress points.
• Moldon Rubber – Moldon rubber is a rubber bonded to an iron core. This allows the wheels to quietly operate and be highly resistant to shock and vibration.
• Polyurethane – Polyurethane is highly resistant to grease, oil, cutting, chunking, and abrasive wear. We offer polyurethane wheels bonded to either an iron core or a polyolefin core.
Best Customer Service for Moving Heavy Machinery
We’ve just touched on a few great casters that will allow you to move heavy-duty equipment. We have many more options and ideas that may be right for you. Our knowledgeable and friendly customer support staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our casters and what casters would be appropriate for your unique situation. Contact us online at using the contact form on our site or call (800) 451-0030.
