Heavy Duty Casters: The Essential Hardware

A caster is a critical piece of hardware typically attached to the bottom of a cart, dolly or material handling equipment. It’s used for a variety of industries including medical, automotive, warehouse, shopping carts and construction to name just a few. Source castercity.com

Choosing the Right Casters

When buying a set of casters, you’ll need to consider several factors such as weight capacity, mounting type, and materials. A caster with a solid steel wheel, for example, will withstand loads of up to 15,000 kg and can be used at temperatures of up to 270 degC.

How to Maintain Your Heavy Duty Casters for Maximum Lifespan

The material a caster is made from plays a huge part in its lifespan and performance. For example, plastic wheels are a bad idea as they will cause scratches and rubber marks to appear on floors over time.

Polyurethane or rubber casters are better options because they’re durable and gentle on floors. They’ll also provide great traction for moving and load bearing capabilities, which means they’re ideal for a range of applications.

Nylon casters are another popular choice because they are lightweight and abrasion-resistant on surfaces. They’re also available in a wide range of colors and styles so you can find the perfect set for your needs.

Aluminum casters are another option because they offer a balance of mobility and weight-bearing. They’re also more affordable than polyurethane or cast iron casters, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious users.

Finally, you’ll want to consider a caster’s noise suppression abilities. If you’re concerned about noise in your space, forged steel is often a better option than cast iron.