Casters are available with different types of tread. Some of them have flat tread, whereas others have round tread. Both types of casters of consist of wheels that can be mounted to the bottom of an object. Flat tread casters simply feature a different wheel design than round tread casters.
What Is Flat Tread?
Flat tread is a wheel design that’s characterized by a flat, nonrounded tread. The tread is the part of the wheel that makes contact with the floor or ground. All casters have some type of tread. Flat tread means this part of the wheel is flat. It’s not rounded. Rather, the part of the wheel that touches the floor or ground is completely flat.
What Is Round Tread?
Round tread is a wheel design that’s characterized by a smooth, rounded tread. Casters with round tread are also known as donut casters. This is because they are shaped like a donut. With round tread, casters don’t have sharp, pronounced edges around the wheels; they feature circular, donut-shaped wheels with smooth edges.
Benefits of Flat Tread
Flat tread typically generates more traction than round tread. Traction is the result of casters “digging” into the floor or ground. After mounting a set of casters on the bottom of an object, you’ll be able to roll the object. The casters will dig into the floor or ground to generate traction, thus stabilizing the object while you roll it.
Whether flat or round tread, all casters will generate traction. Flat tread casters simply generate more traction. The sharp and pronounced edges will encourage greater traction with the floor or ground.
Benefits of Round Tread
While it lacks the traction of its flat tread counterpart, round tread still has some advantages. Casters with round tread, for instance, roll more easily than those with flat tread. You’ll still have to push the object on which the casters are mounted. Assuming the casters feature round tread, though, you won’t have to apply much force. You can gently push the object to roll it.
Casters with round tread are also easier to turn than those with flat tread. They have rounded edges. With these rounded edges, you can easily turn the casters around the corners.
You can find casters with different types of tread. Flat tread consists of a flat design that offers an exceptional level of traction. Round tread, on the other hand, consists of a rounded design that’s easy to push and turn.
