Caster with brake. Image Credit: TerraUniversal.com Rigid caster. Image Credit: Grainger Swivel caster. Image Credit: Grainger
Casters are complete wheel and horn assemblies that attach to equipment to allow movement.
There are two basic types of industrial casters: rigid and swivel.
- Rigid casters permit only straight-line movement.
- Ball wheelsare shaped like a ball and are usually found on furniture.
Ball caster. Image Credit: Magnus Mobility Systems
Stem casters use a stem to mount the wheel.
Swivel stem caster. Image Credit: All-Spec
Swivel casters allow movement in any direction. Some varieties of swivel casters also include a lock that, when engaged, transforms the swivel into a rigid-style caster.
Wheel casters include a wheel in the assembly.
Both rigid and swivel industrial casters are made out of materials such as aluminum, brass, chrome, copper, iron, steel, plastic, and rubber. In some cases, the wheel or roller is made of one type of material while the plate, horn, and mounting flange are made of another. Typically, industrial casters are used on trucks and trailers, dollies, and drum-handling equipment.
Important specifications to consider include:
- Load capacity - the maximum weight the caster can bear.
- Wheel tread width - the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the threat of a new tire.
Wheel diameter - the diameter or size of the wheel.
Type of Wheel
Industrial casters use several types of wheels.
- V-grooved wheels can ride on tracks or floors and provide superior traction.
- Flanged track wheels can also ride on tracks, but cannot travel on floors because the flanges mounted on each side of the wheel limit the bearing surface area.
- Pneumatic wheels are filled with air for better shock absorption and usually consist of a rubber tire on a metal rim. Tube and tube-less versions are available.
Phenolic wheels are created by applying heat and pressure to layers of paper or glass cloth impregnated with synthetic resin.
Industrial casters can also use wheels made from solid materials such as plastic, polyurethane, metal, and rubber for added strength.
- Plastic wheels can be mounted on metal or plastic hubs.
- Rubber wheels can be mounted on plastic or metal hubs.
- Metal wheels, which are often made of stainless steel, may include forged components.
Ball wheels are ball-shaped and usually made of brass.
Industrial casters are available with a variety of features.
- Brake included
- Hooded wheel is a half-round tread shaped like a semi-circle
- Meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for use in sanitary applications.
- Spring-loaded casters reduce shock.
- Twin wheel casters include two wheels in one housing.
Twin wheel caster. Image Credit: Magnus
- Stem mountings can include either threaded stems or square stems. Industrial casters that swivel do not include a kingpin so that the top plate and inner raceway are formed from one piece. This provides a superior raceway for shock conditions.
- Air casters use a cushion of air pressure to raise the load for easier moving.
Air caster demo. Video Credit: landmovers
Related Products & Services
Wheels are solid discs or rigid circular rings that attach to assemblies such as casters to allow movement. They are connected to a hub and designed to turn around an axle.