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Today’s heavy duty caster wheels come in a variety of styles, materials, and sizes, so someone who is new to the idea of buying and installing them may feel overwhelmed. In this brief guide, you can learn the ins and outs of selecting the right-sized caster wheel for your unique needs.
The most important factor in determining the right size caster for your cart or rack is understanding the maximum load that cart or rack will be required to carry. For example, assume for a moment that you need casters to support a large cart that will carry only 5000 pounds on average, but may need to hold up to 10,000 pounds from time to time. You may feel tempted to go with a smaller caster since your average load is only half the maximum weight, but this can cause safety issues when you need to double up that weight.
When choosing a caster wheel size, always consider the maximum weight of your loads and go from there. In this case, if you will need casters to support up to 10,000 pounds, and assuming you will have casters on all four corners of your cart or rack, you will need casters that are rated to hold at least 2500 pounds. For added safety, you could choose casters that can hold up to 4000 pounds each, which gives you several thousand pounds of leeway.
If your cart or rack will be moved freely by employees, meaning they aren’t reliant on a track for controlled movement, then the width of the wheels may not be as much of a concern as long as they are rated to hold the maximum weight of the load. However, when the racks are installed in tracks to control back-and-forth movement, it is imperative to buy casters that fit these tracks appropriately.
Casters that are too small may move around in the tracks, causing vibration and shock. This may lead to damaged goods or even employee injuries. On the other hand, casters that are too small for the track may ride on top of them, and they could eventually slip right off the track and tip, causing serious injury and damage to the entire load. Measure your track carefully and order casters that are designed to fit inside perfectly.
The final consideration when it comes to choosing the right size heavy duty industrial casters is the height of your cart or rack. In some cases, the difference in height may be negligible – only up to half an inch – but if you are working in a limited space, it is a vital consideration. Carts that are too low to the ground may be difficult for forklifts to pick up, and carts that are too high may make loading difficult. Be sure to think about these things and order wheels that are the right diameter for your needs.
Choosing the right type of caster is essential, but so is choosing the right size. Using the information above, you can pick a caster wheel for any application imaginable that is safe and effective. Remember to consider the weight of the load, the size of the track, and the load’s ideal height.
