What are Flanged Casters and Why Should You Consider Installing Them?

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By Doug Backinger VP of Sales

Posted on: July 10, 2020

Categories: Casters

Grooved  Casters offer safety and precision for applications that require precise alignment.

In almost every industry, the safe and efficient movement of goods or parts across a production area is critical. As such, there are numerous solutions out there designed to solve even the toughest mobility and material handling issues. Flanged casters are just one of these solutions, and they offer a wide variety of benefits in numerous settings. Learning more about them can help you decide whether flanged casters are right for you. 

What is a Flanged Caster?

A flanged caster is a device designed with grooves so that it fits on steel tracks in production areas. Most flanged casters are constructed from strong cast iron, but they can also be made from ductile iron or steel when the application calls for it. They come in a variety of sizes, and bearings can be plain bore, straight, or precision tapered as needed. The grade 30 cast iron allows the wheels to resist temperatures of up to 800 degrees, which makes them ideal for use in hot environments. They boast a maximum capacity of 15,000 pounds per caster, so they can support even the heaviest of loads. 

The Benefits of Flanged Casters vs. Traditional Casters 

Numerous industries rely on flanged casters unique benefits that traditional casters simply cannot provide. These benefits include:

• Moving loads off the floor. When carts and racks remain in fixed positions on tracks, it frees up floor space and improves overall productivity. 
• Safety. Another benefit associated with fixed rails and flanged casters is the increased safety. Loads will no longer move all across the floor; rather, they will move only along the rails. What’s more, the loads are easier to move and require less push force. 
• Increased capacity. Flanged casters offer a 15,000 pound maximum capacity, which can allow for even greater capacities and larger loads. 
• Floor protection. If floor damage from traditional casters is a concern, the installation of steel tracks and flanged casters can eliminate that damage. The casters roll only along the tracks. 
• Improved productivity and workplace morale. Since flanged casters make it easier to move even heavy duty loads, these loads can be moved faster and with fewer operators. Employees exert less force to move the cart or rack, making their jobs far less demanding and improving morale in turn. 

When to Consider Flanged Casters

Flanged casters are ideal in numerous settings and applications, particularly when those applications require very precise alignment, such as in foundries or during automated side-loading. Many industries also use flanged casters on tracks for captive turntables. These are found in various manufacturing settings and are especially beneficial in situations where movement must be limited to prevent injury or to facilitate precision. 

There are numerous ways to move goods across an open space, whether you need to move goods waiting to be packaged down a production line or a cart filled with molten metal through a foundry. Flanged casters are excellent tools that improve precision, safety, and productivity while making your employees’ jobs much simpler at the same time. With numerous sizes and styles available, virtually any industry can benefit from flanged casters on steel tracks.