Different Types of Casters

A caster is an assembly that consists of a wheel and a mount. Generally, casters support and make it easy to maneuver carts, racks, dollies, among other equipment. They are available in a wide range of materials, sizes, widths, and other specifications, providing endless mobility options for a diverse set of work environments. To determine what type of caster you need, there are few factors to consider, those of which we will outline in this blog.

To begin, you must think about the following questions: 

  • How heavy are the loads that these casters will need to support?
  • Is the working environment wet or oily?
  • Is exposure to chemicals or corrosives a concern?
  • What temperature range will the casters be exposed to?
  • What floor or surface type do you need to maneuver across?
  • Are aesthetics or noise reduction a concern?
  • Are brakes needed?

Different Types of Casters

In terms of caster maneuverability, there are two basic types: rigid and swivel casters. A rigid caster, or fixed caster, can only roll forward and backward, whereas a swivel caster has a raceway that enables the wheel to turn. The raceway is cylindrical and contains the ball bearing track or tracks. 

Popularly, traditional swivels rely on a kingpin which is a bolt or rivet that holds the raceway together. With this design, the kingpin is placed under high levels of stress, most of which is attributed to shocks that come from equipment running into obstacles or when heavy weights are dropped onto it. For this reason, the kingpin is a frequent failure point for traditional swivel casters. 

A kingpinless caster, on the other hand, is a special type of swivel caster whose raceway is not held together by a bolt or rivet. Furthermore, stress is distributed more evenly, meaning that kingpinless casters last longer than traditional variations. As such, they are ideal for power high-stress applications and rough environments. 

Depending on the job at hand, two parallel swivel casters and two parallel fixed casters is the most common configuration for carts that need good turning and straight-line travel capabilities. Meanwhile, carts with only swivel casters are easy to move, making them ideal for lighter loads in tight locations. However, they are harder to control. Lastly, four rigid casters in a diamond pattern provides an effective arrangement for easy turns and pivots. 

Caster Wheel Materials

What a wheel is made from and its size has a big impact on how easily it moves, how durable it is, how much noise it makes, and more. Wheels made from harder materials provide lower starting resistance, especially when the weight of the load increases. For further context, starting resistance is the force the wheel must overcome to kickstart motion. They also have lower rolling resistance, meaning that they require less force to keep them moving at a constant speed. In contrast, wheels made from softer materials are quieter and more comfortable to maneuver as they transmit less vibration. For hardwood or tile, soft wheels cause less damage.  

Common materials used: 

  • Cast iron
  • Ductile iron
  • Glass-filled nylon
  • Neoprene
  • Phenolic
  • Polyurethane
  • Rubber
  • Stainless steel

Caster Mount Type

There are three basic types of caster mount configurations, those of which are plate, stem, and bolt hole variations. A plate mount attaches the wheel using bolts through preformed bolt holes in the top plate. Using a stem mounting method, a stem is used as the attaching device. A bolt hole mount consists of a stemless caster with a standard bolt inserted into a hole and bolted to the equipment. 

Conclusion

ASAP Industrials is a leading supplier of caster sets, caster brakes, caster pads, office chair casters, and so much more. Get started today with a competitive quote on any desired item and see how ASAP Industrials can serve as your strategic sourcing partner. For questions about our other offered services, call or email us at any time; we are available around the clock!


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