There are a wide variety of casters available for you to choose from. The caster you decide to use will depend on several different factors. If you choose the wrong castor for the job you are doing, you could damage the castor and the object you are trying to move. Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of what certain castors are capable of. You can learn more about some things to keep in mind while you are shopping for castors by reading the information below.
1. Floor conditions
You need to be certain that the wheel of the caster is big enough to easily roll over any moldings, tracks, cracks in the floor or other various obstructions. Polyurethane rubber wheels should be used for floor protection on carpet, tile and linoleum.
2. Load weight
As your load becomes heavier, you will need to have bigger caster wheels. Your wheel’s mobility will be directly impacted by the amount of weight that is on the load. When attempting to move a load that weighs more than 400 pounds, use ball or roller bearings. Make sure you check the weight limit for a caster before you buy it.
3. Rolling ease
The bigger the diameter of a wheel, the easier it will roll. Heavier loads are able to be rolled easier by using roller bearings. It is easier to roll ball bearings, although they are not able to carry loads as heavy as roller bearings. The biggest ball bearings you can find should always be used.
4. Unusual conditions
Specific characteristics contained within each wheel material give it the ability to perform well when unusual conditions arise. For example, if chemicals, oils, acids or other conditions that could damage rubber are on the surface of the floor, steel, phenolic, polyolefin or polyurethane wheels should be used.
5. Extreme climates
The vast majority of casters will not be affected by room temperatures. However, if there happens to be extreme heat or cold, you could have an issue regarding how easily your castors will roll. There are certain types of castors that are not designed to be used in specific ranges of extreme temperatures. Check with the manufacturer to verify the temperature ranges before you buy.
Make sure that the castors you buy have a warranty included with them. Most reputable manufacturers will back up their castors with a warranty of at least 60 days. Do not settle for a warranty less than that.
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