Regarding Wheels And Casters For Industrial Material Handling

By Dennis Martin


In selecting wheels and also casters, you have to be conversant with the kind of job they will be performing in order to make the correct choice. There are a number of individual factors which need to be varied when choosing wheels and casters for industrial material handling.

The weight of the loads to be lifted is very crucial. Heavy loads need a very wide wheel. It will determine the ease of mobility of casters. If the load weighs more that than 400 pounds, you should get roller or even ball bearings.

The state of the industry building floor is also important. If it is damaged, it is likely to have cracks. Small wheels may get stuck in the crack but big ones will be able to move over them easily. Tracks or molding have to be taken into account too. In case the flooring is made of tiles, linoleum or is carpeted you should invest in polyurethane or rubber controls.

If at the time of load movement there are some unusual conditions, you should confirm that the items can be able to operate well. Every product has a set of characteristics which make it unique. However, exposing it to extreme conditions may destroy its functional ability. Rubber wheels should not be moved in areas which have acids, oil or chemicals. It will corrode and accidents may easily occur. If the conditions cannot be rectified, you may use polyurethane, steel, polyolefin, phenolic or Maxim materials.

In order to complete the tasks quickly, the machines should move very fast. However, this is determined by the controls. Those which have a wide diameter roll with ease. When using ball bearing, it will move fast but the amount of load the machine will handle is limited. Roller bearings are not that fast but they can sustain very heavy items. You can overcome this limitation by using very big ball bearings.

The temperatures in the industry may be very hot or cold depending on the kind of production being done. However, this can cause the controls and machine components to fail. Green lube is recommended in such a scenario to improve the functionality of the products. However, you should only take this step if the manufacturer has given you a go-ahead.

Local distributors can give you a lot of information concerning the products. Additionally, you can also get such information from the manufacturers. However, this does not mean that you should not go the extra mile to search for information on your own. Failure to do so will make you vulnerable to conmen and you will suffer huge losses by the time you realize you purchased the wrong product.

Sticking to one manufacturer or distributor may earn you huge discounts. Casters and controls are very expensive and it will be a big relief to you if you can get a discount. In addition, the manufactures will always be willing to give you advice concerning the use and care of the items if you have proven your loyalty. If you follow the advice, the machine will serve you for long.




About the Author: