Casters 101

Many factors should be taken into consideration in prescribe to choose the proper industrial caster or wheel. To result in the most appropriate selection for your application, consider the following:

• Load Weight - The heavier the load, the greater the wheel required for the caster. The fat of the load furthermore influences wheel mobility. For heavy need loads over 400 lbs., roller or ball bearings are suggested.


• Floor Conditions - Be sure the wheel chosen is big enough to pass over cracks in the floor, songs, molding, along with other obstructions. Use polyurethane or Performa rubber wheels for floor protection about linoleum, tile, carpet, etc.


• Unusual Conditions - Each wheel material has qualities that will give the greatest results where strange conditions exist. For example Polyurethane, polyolefin, phenolic, or steel wheels are suggested where chemicals, oils, chemicals, along with other substances harmful to rubber are present.


• Rolling Ease - The greater the wheel, the easier it rolls. While roller bearing wheels may carry heavier loads, ball bearing wheels roll more easily yet carry lighter loads. Whenever potential, utilize the greatest ball bearing wheel needed for right results.


• Extreme Climates - Room temperature are not a problem for many casters. However extreme cold as well as heat is a problem. Bastian casters come standard with lubrication created to resist temperature from 450Ã?°F below zero to 2600Ã?°F above zero.


• Shock Load - The impact caused by losing a load about a cart or truck, or by rolling about a harsh surface. Whenever encountering shock loading, we will need to look at four things: construction of the caster, kind of kingpin, swivel bearing, and also the composition of the wheel.

Caster Kinds

• Rigid - A stiff caster has a stiff yoke and wheel assembly that allows just straight-line movement.
• Swivel - A swivel caster has a swivel yoke and wheel assembly that will allow rotation of 360 degrees, that allows movement in any way.
• Locking - A locking caster is an assembly that is locked in destination by certain sort of mechanic device.

Caster Parts Definitions & Nomenclature

• Wheel Diameter - Wheel diameter is the outward nominal diameter of the wheel.
• Bolt Hole Spacing - Bolt hole spacing is the distance calculated within the center of the screw hole to the other center of the different screw hole.
• caster Size - A loose expression for classifying casters, based about the nominal diameter of the wheel. For example, a "6 inch caster" is any caster having a 6 inch diameter wheel.
• Hub Length Hub length is the widest part of the hub (including bearing assembly and thread guards).
• Overall Height - Overall level is the upright distance between floor and mounting plate. (NOTE: casters with threaded stems are calculated to the top washer and don't include the length of the threaded stem).
• Bore Diameter - Bore diameter is the distance calculated through the center of the wheel.
• Tread Width/Face - The outward surface of the wheel, in contact with the ground. The width of the wheel stand cross-section, calculated at the bottom of the stand quite than at the point of floor contact.
• Plate Dimension - Plate dimension is the calculated distance from 1 edge of the top plate to the other side and also the distance within the different edge of the top plate to the other side.
• Capacity - The maximum suggested lad per caster or wheel based about intermittent operation over smooth floors at speeds not exceeding 3 mph, with no shock loading or adverse ecological conditions. Gross fat of a truck or dolly ought to be split by the amount of casters or wheels about that the extra weight is distributed.
• Swivel Radius - A swivel radius is the horizontal distance from upright centerline of kingpin to external edge of wheel stand. Specifies minimal clearance required for installed caster to swivel 360 degrees.
• Offset/Swivel Lead - The perpendicular distance involving the upright centerlines of the kingpin and also the axle of a swivel caster. Larger offsets afford easier swiveling, smaller offsets higher strength.
• Swivel Lead -Swivel lead is the horizontal distance between upright centerlines through kingpin and wheel center.

Caster Measurement Definitions & Nomenclature

• Durometer - A measure of the hardness of resistant stand wheels.
• Component Thrust - Designates side forces exerted about a swivel caster and properly counteracted by the secondary load bearing.
• Roll ability - Ease of beginning and rolling, calculated by drawbar pull. It is dependant upon load, floor conditions, and kind and sized wheels and bearings.
• Direct Thrust - Designates those downward forces exerted about a caster by the load, and counteracted by the main load bearing.

Related Articles - www.rwmcasters.com, rwmcasters.com, RWM Casters,

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