Casters are wheels and mounts that move equipment which is difficult or impossible to move on one’s own. Buying any type of device is not recommended because different designs are made for different purposes. In addition to the caster size, there is the temperature and load capacity to consider. Review these several tips to help you choose the right casters for your needs.
What Are Casters?
Casters are wheels that are attached to the legs of large objects to allow mobility. These include pianos, kitchen appliances and office furniture. Dragging the large object across the floor is not an option for most people. They either lack the strength or risk damaging their backs in the process.
Casters are used in many places from offices to hospitals and warehouses. There are small ones that are mounted to household furniture and large ones that are mounted to industrial machines that weigh thousands of pounds. Colson caster wheel sets are high quality and are made of different materials that include:
- Iron
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Steel
The two main types are rigid and swivel. Rigid casters do not rotate and allow limited movements. Swivel designs allow you to turn the equipment around and move the wheels in any direction, which helps you to turn corners easily in a building. You can add brakes to lock the wheels in place, which is useful to prevent heavy equipment from accidentally rolling down an incline.
How to Use Them at Work or Home
First, determine the right type of caster to use for your moving project. The type that you choose depends on the size and weight of your equipment and the distance that you plan to travel. Also, consider the different parts of a caster, such as the material, wheel, swivel radius, wheel bearing, etc.
There are industrial, medical and high-temperature designs available. Industrial casters are used to move heavy-duty equipment in warehouses and manufacturing plants. Medical casters are attached to patient beds and surgical tables. In places of extreme heat, high-temperature casters are designed for use around heaters.
When choosing medical casters, there are several factors to consider. Steel or plastic is the ideal material to use because it’s easy to clean and disinfect. Most hospital beds have locking casters to prevent the beds from accidentally rolling down the floor. Since hospitals accommodate emergencies, the casters should have rotating swivel heads, which allow easy movements, and heavy load capacities.
Safety Standards for Users
The Institute of Caster and Wheel Manufacturers (ICWM) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are responsible for maintaining safety among users of casters. ICWM works with manufacturers to ensure that their designs are safe and durable. The OSHA regulates the maximum amount of weight that people can push when using casters.
Selecting the right casters for your moving duties is not hard, but it takes some research. Rushing through the decision and choosing the wrong product could easily be disastrous. The caster wheels, mounts and parts have to bear the weight without breaking down. Make this selection carefully to ensure that your product provides years of good function.
