Selecting the right caster for your application is critical to maximizing productivity, worker safety, and the security of your cargo. There are several key variables to consider when picking casters. These include understanding the load case (what is the total applied load per caster), the mode/speed of travel (manual operation or power-driven), floor conditions/terrain (how even or uneven is your rolling surface), and the environmental conditions of your worksite (will your casters be exposed to heat, moisture, chemicals). Understanding these variables helps to ensure that you specify the right casters for the job. The final step is making sure that the right casters also fit your budget and time constraints. We’ve included a few tips below, to help guide your selection process.
Capacity
It is important to understand the maximum load that will be applied to your casters, remembering to include the weight of the cart or vehicle itself. Generally, you will need larger or harder wheels as the load applied to your casters increases.
The weight capacities cited on our web site are dynamic ratings and assume intermittent operation over smooth floors at 3 mph/walking speed. It is important to select casters with a higher capacity than your calculated load in cases of uneven loading, overloading, shock loading, abuse, or poor floor conditions.
For carts or vehicles that are power towed, caster capacity ratings can be down rated by as much as 50 percent, depending upon the manufacturer. Please check with our team for more details.
Rollability/Ergonomics
Rollability is the ease with which a caster and wheel is rolled. Rollability is primarily affected by wheel size, tread width, tread composition, and wheel bearings. If your loads are pushed manually, select the largest practical wheel diameter with the type of tread that will start and roll easiest over the required surface.
On smooth floors, the harder the tread, the easier the roll. Harder wheel treads can provide greater ergonomic advantages, but they may have difficulty with foreign object debris (FOD), while increasing floor contact pressure.
Softer wheels are desirable for rough floors, outdoor use, and when it’s important to cushion fragile loads. They protect floor surfaces and travel over obstructions and FOD more easily, but they may be difficult to start and push manually under heavy loads.
Wheel bearing options can also impact rollability. Smaller wheels generally come standard with “plain” bearings, while larger wheels use roller bearings, tapered bearings, and ball bearings. In recent years, precision-sealed ball bearings have been increasingly favored in caster wheels as ergonomic, maintenance-free alternatives.
Operating Environment
It’s important to consider the environment in which you’ll be working when you make your caster selection. Will your casters be operating on a smooth floor? Or are there expansion joints, floor tracks, ramps, cords, or hoses to be traversed? Don’t forget to consider the impact of FOD or harmful substances on your rolling surface.
Is noise a factor? Do you have extreme temperatures, moisture, or corrosive chemicals in your work environment? Standard casters and wheels are designed to operate under “normal” conditions. If your operating environment includes non-standard conditions, consider consulting with our team for help specifying the right casters for your application.
Accessories
Casters can be made safer, more versatile, or more efficient for specific uses by equipping them with optional accessories such as wheel brakes, swivel locks, and wheel and swivel bearing seals. Ask our team for assistance in optimizing your caster with the right accessories.
