There are a few critical features if you're buying new rigid casters. Some of these include Ribbed wheels and a polyurethane tread. Other things to look for include smooth stems and easy-to-operate side brakes.
Ribbed Wheels
Ribbed wheels provide
traction. Ribbed wheels are made of several materials. Some are fabricated from
rubber, aluminum, or steel. These types of wheels are ideal
for a wide range of applications. They are also ideal for heavy-duty
applications because they ensure proper weight distribution per wheel.
Ribbed wheels also prevent uneven wear. They are durable and resistant to abrasion. A good caster must have ribbed wheels to prevent damage to the floor. The wheels should also be able to roll without getting stuck. Ribbed wheels are also easier to clean. Ribbed wheels also provide a cushioned ride. They also reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge. The wheels feature ribbed lugs for improved traction and cushioning. The wheels also have rubber edges to minimize noise. The rubber edge is designed to prevent damage to the floor. Ribbed wheels are common on supermarket shopping carts. These wheels are ideal for handling heavy loads. These casters are available in light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty styles. It is important to choose the type that's best for the application.
Polyurethane Tread
Rigid casters with polyurethane treads are a great choice for indoor and outdoor applications. Their low friction surface makes them easy to roll and are resistant to a wide range of chemicals. Many heavy-duty carts at large stores use these wheels. Other features include grease fittings and double-ball bearing heat-treated raceways. This heavy-duty caster is an excellent choice for food-service carts, industrial equipment, hotel housekeeping carts, and wall panel carts. Heavy-duty casters have a face-contact brake, which can be activated by hand or foot. The brake will stop the wheel from spinning.
Easy-To-Operate Side Brakes
Side brakes are the
most common type of brake found on casters. These brakes are located on the
side of the wheel and are operated by hand. When engaged, they create friction
against the wheel hub. They can also be adjusted to the desired tension. This
is an important feature because too tight of tension can dig into the wheel's
tread. Proper tension also extends the life of caster wheels.
Easy-to-operate side brake mechanisms are an excellent addition to good rigid casters. These brakes allow users to stop the rolling of heavy or fragile objects easily. They provide a level of safety that is necessary for many different applications. The face contact brake is also a common type of brake on casters. This type of brake is easy to operate and makes it easy to see when it is engaged. A threaded rod pushes a plate against the wheel's running surface. They are typically mounted on the trailing side of the caster while the leading side faces the direction of pushing.
Rigid Casters and Kingpins
Casters that stay in
one place are known as rigid casters. As opposed to swivel casters, they won't
rotate. The mobility benefits that swivel casters provide are not available
with rigid casters, even though they provide excellent stability. Most clients
will combine swivel and rigid casters for the best results, giving them the
best balance of stability and maneuverability. The kingpin, a bolt or rivet
that keeps the raceway together, is a key component of the conventional swivel
caster design. The kingpin in this design is put under a lot of strain,
especially from shocks caused by collisions with obstructions or being dropped
with heavy loads. As a result, the kingpin is a common area of failure for
conventional swivel casters.
