Castor wheels are most effective when they are used in applications of which they are actually designed for.
As an example, a castor wheel that is intended for home-use will not work well when used in the industry and vice versa.
But what exactly are the factors that need to be considered so as to pick the most appropriate type of castor wheel? The list below can help.
1.
Weight of Load It is logical to assume that larger wheels can handle heavier loads better than the smaller ones.
As much as this is generally true, some compact and small industry-type castors are designed for heavy-duty applications.
Thus, it is important to not just base one's assessment of a castor wheel's reliability on its size.
A more thorough assessment can be done if the materials used in making the castors are also taken into consideration.
2.
Floor Conditions Since castors are meant for rolling, the floor condition of its application area should also be assessed.
Choose wheels made from polyurethane if they are to be used in a room with a carpetted or tiled floor.
For heavy-duty applications in unmaintained workplaces, pick wheels which are large enough to roll over cracks and other obstructions.
3.
Weather Conditions The reliability and efficiency of castors can be greatly affected by weather conditions.
Too much heat or cold can expose the castors to moisture which can lead to rusting.
Bastian-type castors are often used for applications wherein such weather conditions are inevitable.
These castors can withstand a temperature range of -450 degrees Fahrenheit to 26000 degrees Fahrenheit.
4.
Ease in Rolling Most castors are installed in machines and furniture which are to be moved manually.
To be able to choose the best castors, one should test the wheel and assess whether it is easy to roll or not, depending upon the load type.
The main purpose of castors is to make moving easier, thus if this no longer holds true, the castors are deemed useless.
Types of Castor Wheels In general, there are three types of castors.
These are: 1.
Fixed Castors - These castors are unidirectional.
This means that they can only move in a single straight direction.
These wheels are often used in applications where it is important to maintain a machine's direction of motion.
2.
Swivelling Castors - This type of castors are used for applications that require 360-degree mobility.
Such wheels can move in any direction and are perfect for machines and furniture which are frequently moved around.
3.
Lockable Castors - Fixed and swivelling castors can either be lockable or not.
Lockable ones can be locked in place to as to hinder any more movement once the machine or furniture is in place.