Using Caster Wheels For Outdoor Tasks

Manufacturing, construction and other industries use caster wheels on equipment made for completing everyday tasks. Completing tasks outside comes with different demands than indoor activities. Whether you’re using rolling carts, dollies or other vehicles that have caster wheels, the type of wheel and caster will influence the smoothness of moving items.

Pneumatic casters work well for maneuvering through grass, pebbles, sand, gravel and other soft surfaces. These wheels are filled with pressurized air and are able to move quietly and transport fragile cargo safely. As you move from pavement to gravel, these wheels absorb shocks, protecting cargo. If these tires do get heavy use, make sure you maintain them by monitoring air pressure and checking for flats.

Another option, especially useful for heavier loads, is polyurethane wheels, which are made with a hard surface. These wheels work well on smooth surfaces and do not have tread that wears over time the way pneumatic caster do.  If you’re on a smooth surface outdoors, polyurethane wheels may be appropriate. But it you are looking for a versatile wheel that can handle multiple types of services, a pneumatic wheel may be a better option.

When you are indoors, the terrain is often predictable. For a smooth or soft surface, like carpet, hard tread wheels, like polyurethane wheels, can work well. For rough and uneven surfaces, like you typically encounter outdoors, soft tread wheels work best. Make the ride even smoother by choosing a wheel with a larger diameter to provide stability on those uneven surfaces.

Evaluating Swivel and Rigid Pneumatic Casters

Swivel

Choosing the correct type of casters for carts in your office or warehouse can help protect your cargo and make the physical task of moving items easier. Factors such as the floors you are pushing items across, the weight of the item, the space you are maneuvering through and how fragile items are will help you determine if swivel or rigid pneumatic casters are the best options for you.

All Swivel Casters

Using swivel casters for all four wheels will allow you to move around and make sharp turns. When space is tight and your path demands maneuvering, this is appropriate. However, the flexibility can make routes that are straight for long-distances difficult.

All Rigid Casters

An alternative, using all rigid casters, will prevent you from being able to turn a cart but allow you to drive straight. Depending on the purpose of a cart, this may be appropriate. When cargo is lighter, this basic structure for single facing wheels can work well.

A Mixure of Caster Types

Having a mixture of swivel and rigid pneumatic casters, two and two, provides more control and some flexibility. When you have a far distance to travel with a few turns and mostly straight paths, these casters will work best. Because you have more control with this combination, you can handle more weight without having to strain to compensate for turning too sharply or other problems you would encounter with all swivel casters.

Shopping List For Your First DIY Oil Change

You’re finally learning to change your car’s oil yourself – congrats! With a little practice, you’ll get this routine down in no time. All you have to do is hit up your neighborhood auto store to get your supplies. It’s a DIY task that can save you money and get you set for the next 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

For your very first at-home oil change, there will be some items you will need to purchase. Once you have these tools and supplies, you will be able to re-use them for future oil changes and other car work:

·         Car jack and jack stands– These lift up your vehicle and keep it securely raised.

·         Wheel chocks – Put these brakes behind the back wheels to hold your vehicle in place.

·         Creeper – This board with plate casters is made for smoothly rolling under the car.

·         Filter removal wrench – Use to remove the drain plug.

·         Oil drain pan – Use to disposing of the old oil.

·         Funnel – Use for adding new oil after the old oil is removed.

·         Safety glasses, latex gloves and rags –These can help keep you safe while you’re working.

Once you have those items you will be able to regularly change your own oil. Some people change the oil without using a creeper, but crawling underneath a vehicle can be difficult without the plate casters and wheels that make maneuvering easier.

There are a few supplies you will need to each time you do an oil change – oil, an oil filter and a replacement drain plug washer (for some cars). As you head home from the hardware store, you will be all set to go. You should save around $25-$75 for each time you do this yourself.

Growing Your Moving Business

Owning a small business is a lot of work. But as you experience success, it eventually becomes time to expand your business to meet the demands of your customers. This looks different, depending on what industry you work in. It could mean taking on larger liability with moving more rooms. It could mean getting better equipment, like furniture dollies with heavy duty Albion casters, to move big items faster and with ease.

Here are some steps you can take to expand your moving business:

1.       Graduate from a small truck to a large moving van to assist with multi-room homes and complete moves with fewer trips.

2.       Expand your list of employees to have more bodies to carry items, take on more jobs and increase hours of availability.

3.       Double check your licenses, insurance and permits for your region. If you’re taking on more work without proper licensing, you are putting yourself at risk for fines and possibly needing to put your business on hold.

4.       Make sure you have long-lasting, quality equipment. You want moving equipment that is safe and in good condition. For transporting wooden furniture, Albion casters can be used to hold extreme weight. 

5.       Increase your insurance liability. If you’re transporting more bedrooms and filling a larger truck, you may have to change your insurance plan to account for the greater liability.

6.       Take your advertising online. When you have positive reviews and the right equipment, put time into your marketing efforts. Getting information about your business in front of potential customers will be essential for long-term growth.

6 Things to Look for When Buying a Toolbox

Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a shop owner, the right toolbox can make all the difference. The

following is a list of top toolbox features to look consider.

1.       Size and storage capacity. Because a quality tool box is a long term investment, you'll want to be sure the toolbox is large enough to neatly store all your tools — even your bulky ones.

2.       Gauge of steel. Toolboxes made from higher gauges of steel are able to support heavier loads. Not only that, but they tend to last longer. Net weight is often an indication of steel gauge, with heavier gauge steel resulting in heavier toolboxes.

3.       Quality casters. The whole point of having toolbox casters is to allow your toolbox to be moved quickly and easily to wherever you need it. The type of floor and debris your toolbox will have to move through as well as how much weight it will carry will both affect the type of casters you'll need. If you find a toolbox you love but with inadequate casters, you can always buy better casters separately and replace the existing ones.

4.       Drawer slides. Make sure the toolbox's drawer slides are made with ball bearings. This will allow the drawers to easily slide open and closed, even with heavy loads. Speaking of heavy loads, don't forget to check each drawer's load capacity as well.

5.       Color and design. Toolboxes come in a variety of colors but more importantly, in a variety of layouts. Be sure to choose a toolbox with drawers laid out in a way that makes sense for your needs and work habits.

6.       Extras. There are several features and accessories that may appeal to you such as drawer liners, safety latches, protective covers, drawer guards, and more.

Keep these things in consideration and you're sure to buy a toolbox that's right for you.

5 Things to Look for When Choosing Shopping Cart Casters

Anyone who's ever pushed a shopping cart knows how frustrating it can be when the wheels don't work properly. The shopping cart casters you choose have a big impact on customer experience. Here's a list of things to look for:

1.       Effortless glide. The quality of casters determines how smoothly a cart glides through the aisles. It's worthwhile to spend a little more money on higher quality casters to ensure your customers have the best possible experience.

2.       Non-marking. The great thing about casters that provide an effortless glide is they are also non-marking. Polyurethane wheels are an excellent choice when you want to protect your floors from scuffs and marks while also delivering optimal performance.

3.       Anti-microbial. Because shopping carts come into contact with food, Albion casters with anti-microbial properties are a must. Anti-microbial wheels help suppress the growth of microbes which in turn helps control not only bacteria but also fungi, mildew, mold and odors. The anti-microbial compound is part of the wheel material itself, not simply a coating, so the caster wheel maintains anti-microbial properties throughout the lifetime of its service.

4.       Durability. Shopping carts are pushed over a variety of surfaces both inside a store and outside in a parking lot. Because of the heavy use a shopping cart receives, durability is extremely important. Investing a higher quality, more durable wheel means having to replace those wheels less frequently.

5.       Anti-static. No one likes to get zapped with static electricity while shopping. You can spare your customers a shock by using anti-static wheels on your carts. With anti-static wheels, the static electricity is discharged with every rotation of the wheel, ensuring a zap-free shopping experience for your customers.

Keep these five things in mind when selecting shopping cart casters and your customers will be sure to appreciate it.

5 Types of Standard Casters

There are dozens of different kinds of casters, so choosing the right one can be confusing. The

following is a list of some of the most commonly used, standard casters.

Plate Casters

Of all the types of casters available, plate casters are one of the most commonly utilized. These casters have weight capacities ranging from 300 pounds all the way up to 23,000 pounds. Not only that, but plate casters are also available in a wide range of colors and sizes.

Leveling Casters

When you need something perfectly level, leveling casters do the job nicely. Available in different sizes, leveling casters also feature a steel inserted frame ideal for heavy applications, a durable engineered nylon plastic wheel, a chemically compounded rubber leveling pad and a forged top plate. Leveling casters can also be easily switched from stationary to mobile.

Low-Profile Casters

If you need a low-profile caster with high capacity, this is the caster for you. Typically used with loads such as business machines, electronic equipment, laboratory equipment, and store fixtures, low-profile casters feature dual ball bearing construction with a sleek design. Need higher load capacity? Heavy-duty low-profile casters can carry up to 1,000 pounds.

Pneumatic and No-Flat Casters

These casters are perfect for when you need to baby your floors and your load. Swivel caster models can maneuver easily around corners and in tight spaces. Pneumatic casters are most often used for large equipment and are found in warehouse environments.

Spring-Loaded Casters

Ideal for the most delicate loads, spring loaded casters provide a smooth and gentle ride. Casters are available with a load capacity of up to 500 pounds, as well as in swivel and rigid models.

Of course, there are many more types of specialized casters available but these are the workhorses you'll see used most often.