MS Spring-Loaded Casters 101: Everything You Need to Know.

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By Doug Backinger VP of Sales

Posted on: April 26, 2023

Categories: Casters

Introducing our complete line of steel and aluminum spring-loaded casters.

Casters are essential in many industries, providing mobility to the carts and equipment required to move around regularly. However, conventional casters are not designed to handle shocks and vibrations, which can damage the cargo, create noise, and cause a litany of other issues.

Stepping up to bat, MS casters.

In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about our line of MS  Spring-Loaded Casters, including their benefits, key factors to consider, and the unique features these aluminum casters provide.

Benefits of Suspension Casters

Suspension casters are designed to absorb shocks and vibrations, providing several benefits that conventional casters cannot. Some of the benefits of suspension casters include:

• Cargo and operator protection: Suspension casters can protect the cargo from shocks and vibrations, reducing the risk of damage or breakage. Less shock and vibration also help reduce operator injuries.
• Noise reduction: Suspension casters can significantly reduce noise levels, making them ideal for applications that require quiet operation. If noise reduction is the primary thing you’re looking for, you may want to consider CasterShoX^®.
• Obstruction handling: Suspension casters can roll over some obstructions, making them ideal for uneven floors or rough terrains. You probably won’t take them up and over sidewalk curbs, but concrete stress joints or bolts are no issue.

Key Factors to Consider

When choosing suspension casters, it is crucial to consider the following key factors to ensure optimal performance:

• Initial force: Each spring has a measurable force that must be applied to initiate deflection of the spring configuration. Choosing the wrong spring can negate all benefits and diminish performance below the levels of conventional casters.
• Linear deflection: Once the spring begins to deflect, it should provide a predictable deformity of the spring configuration in relation to the applied force. This is a linear relationship that is directly proportional.
• Full deflection: At the endpoint, the spring is completely deformed, and no further pressure will affect the spring unless the pressure is so great that the spring material deforms. Each of these characteristics must be considered when designing and building spring-loaded casters.

RELATED: How does a spring-loaded caster work.

Unique Features of MS Spring-Loaded Casters

MS casters offer several unique features that set them apart from conventional casters and even most other suspension casters.

MS dual-wheel casters have separate axles with separate springs and legs for each wheel. It’s like having two independent casters on one top plate. This design offers several benefits, including carrying the load equally on both wheels when an obstruction is encountered, minimizing the risk of tilting the top plate, and reducing bounce and vibration.

All MS casters utilize a linear suspension system, which achieves optimal shock reduction and drastically reduces shimmy, dynamic bounce, and resonance when the cart is empty or loaded beyond its rated capacity.

Our aluminum line of corrosion-resistant casters are lightweight and can withstand most chemicals while having the shine and appeal that only aluminum has. These casters are often used in Aviation Ground Support, Aircraft Maintenance, Military and Defense applications. And for those who prefer steel to aluminum for added capacity, MS casters have those too.

By understanding the benefits and features of MS casters and applying what factors are needed in picking suspension casters, you can choose the right caster for your application and ensure safe and efficient mobility for your team.