FAQs About Casters

Casters are a very handy device that has one or more wheels and makes it easy to move large or heavy loads. They can be found everywhere from mop buckets to warehouses. There are casters for furniture and shopping carts as well as pallet jack wheels and trash bin caster wheels. Here are some frequently asked questions about casters.

What are casters made of? Casters can be made of many different materials like wood, glass, aluminum, steel, iron, rubber, polyurethane, or nylon. The type will depend on the weight of the load, the condition of the floor, the environment, and the type of load.

How do I choose the right caster? You first need to consider the weight of the load and the type of floor you have. Also decide how easy you want the load to roll and the climate. High heat, moisture, excessive dust, and chemicals can damage casters.

Can certain casters withstand high temperatures? Yes, it depends on the wheel materials. Here are some examples:

·         Polyurethane - 130 degrees F

·         Phenolic ( Fiberglass ) - 300 degrees F

·         Glass Filled Nylon - 475 degrees F

·         Forged Steel and Cast Iron - 800 degrees F

How do I determine the weight of the load? You have to remember to add the weight of the load to the weight of the cart or container. Divide that number by three to get the minimum for each caster. Do this even if you will have four casters because on an uneven floor, three casters may carry all the weight for a short time.

Why do some loads make casters shake or flutter? The shaking is caused because only three wheels are carrying the load. That leaves one to rotate independently until the load shifts to that one plus two others. The lead in the caster would need to be lengthened to stop the flutter.

How do I compensate for rough floors? You can use a larger wheel or pick a different material, such as rubber or polyurethane.

The History of Casters

From their inception to modern day use, casters have been extremely helpful in moving heavy loads.

Casters are devices with wheels or balls that are mounted to a large object that makes it easier to move. Here is a short overview of the evolution of casters.

Early Years

No one is absolutely sure when the first caster was used but we know it came into use soon after the wheel was invented. It is simply a smaller version of a cart with wheels and evidence has been found from ancient civilizations. Casters were patented for the first time by David A. Fisher in 1876 to be used on furniture.

How Casters Are Attached

The two ways that a caster can be attached to an object are with a plate or a stem. Plate casters have a top plate that is bolted to the container. These are used for very heavy loads. Stem-mounted casters allow movement in any direction, making them ideal for lighter loads.

Modern Applications

Today, casters can be found almost everywhere including homes, offices, factories, warehouses, hospitals, or construction sites. Anywhere a load needs to be moved, casters are probably there to help. Heavy-duty casters can handle loads of 100,000 pounds.

The first casters made for industrial use were very heavy. Later, casters were used for other purposes and were made of leather or glass to protect wood flooring. Today, they may be made of leather, glass, iron, stainless steel, rubber, polyurethane, nylon, or aluminum.

Wheel Adaptations

Over time, certain adaptations were made for use of casters in certain environments. Extra wheels or balls in place of wheels help the caster swivel more easily. High temperature wheels may be made of fiberglass, glass-filled nylon, or engineered rubber to withstand high temperatures for a short time. Pneumatic caster wheels made be filled with air or foam to provide a cushioned ride for fragile cargo and some are rubber wheels made to provide extra cushion.