Caster Wheels – What You Need to Know

Caster wheels are the part of a device that mounts to the bottom of larger objects like carts or dolly to enable mobility. They come in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and overall heights to accommodate many different work environments. This link castercity.com

Load Capacity

The capacity of a caster wheel is determined by the material used in its construction and its diameter. Larger wheels distribute weight better, reducing strain on the equipment they support.

Wheels can be made from polyurethane, iron core, molded nylon or cast iron and are rated for up to 1500lbs per wheel. Rubber and plastic caster wheels can handle lighter loads.

How to Choose the Best Caster Wheels for Your Cart or Trolley

A yoke, or rig, is the part of a rigid caster that holds the wheel in place and supports the load. The yoke can be constructed of steel, aluminum or polyurethane.

Swivel Radius

A swivel radius is the amount of space required for the caster wheel to fully swivel in order to change direction. Swivel casters are typically less able to carry more than rigid casters, but may be better suited for workplace environments where loads need to be moved along paths that don’t go in a straight line.

Spring mechanism

Certain casters serve a shock absorbing or vibration dampening function, so there needs to be a spring in the caster design. These are typically coiled steel springs, but there are also hydraulic and elastomeric springs.