Casters are commonly found on things such as office chairs, rolling racks, butcher blocks and more. While these types of wheels help to make work much easier, they are designed for light use. Some industries need wheels that can push around much heavier loads. In these cases, industrial casters are needed. Here are a few things to consider when selecting the right ones to fit your needs.
The Environment
Think about what type of conditions the casters will be exposed to. Will they be used indoors or outdoors? Will they be exposed to moisture or will they stay dry? What temperatures will the wheels be exposed to? All of these factors can impact the functionality and longevity of your casters. They should be considered carefully.
Floor Surfaces
You should consider what types of surfaces the casters will be rolling on. If you have a brand-new warehouse with smooth concrete floors, your wheels will have no issues moving. Older concrete flooring may have defects, which can occur as a result of many different reasons. Imperfections are not only harder to move over, but they can also wreak havoc on the wrong type of caster. You should also consider if your casters will be rolling on other surfaces such as carpeting or pavement.
The Weight to be Carried
Industrial casters are designed to hold significantly more weight than regular casters. However, not every type can handle the same load. When thinking about the type of casters you need, you want to consider the load per wheel. Know how much you need to move at any given time. You should add about 30% to that total to ensure that your items are able to be moved around safely. Once you have that total, divide the amount by the number of casters you will have on your cart, bin, or other movement solution. This will enable you to figure out each caster’s capacity. When you have this number, you’ll have a better idea of which ones you’ll need.
How Fast Items Will Be Moved
In addition to how much weight you need to be moved, you also need to consider how fast your casters will be moving. Additionally, you’ll want to figure out how long that speed will be kept up. Always consider the fastest speed at the longest intervals to help avoid potential complications.
You don’t want to select the first casters you come across. Choosing the right industrial casters requires some consideration into how they will be used. This way, you get the right wheels for the job.
