A recent survey found there were around 2.8 cases of workplace injury and illness, per every 100 employees.
Some of this comes down to people injuring themselves when trying to move something heavy. If you want to avoid such injuries in your workplace, you may want to make sure heavy items are fitted with the correct caster wheels.
But choosing casters can be a tricky task. Does the material of the wheel matter? Will you need brakes?
Below you’ll find some tips on how you can select the right caster wheels. Use these tips, and you’ll go from caster confusion to competence.
Let’s begin!
Think About Swivel Radius
The swivel radius is essentially the range of motion a wheel can offer.
If you’re going to use the wheels to transport something in an awkward setting, like a cramped warehouse, a 360-degree range of motion is ideal.
If you’re only moving something backward and forwards, you can probably use wheels with a limited range of motion.
Do You Need Brakes?
You’ll find there are two kinds of brakes a caster wheel can have.
One option is the ‘side’ brake, and this can be the cheapest option on offer, but not necessarily the most reliable.
The other solution is something known as a ‘top lock.’ This can be more expensive, but it can provide a much better level of performance.
Finding the Right Material for Your Wheels
The material a caster wheel is made from can have a significant impact on how it performs over time. If you want to select the right material, it’s vital you think about the environment the wheel will be used in.
For example, if you’re going to use the wheels on a relatively hard surface, it can be a good idea to use ‘soft’ wheels.
This is because the soft wheels will not damage the floor, and the wheels themselves will not experience much wear, against the hard floor. You’ll find that soft wheels are often made from thermoplastic rubber or something known as soft rubber.
‘Hard’ wheels are generally made from materials such as cast iron or polyolefin. If you’re going to use the wheels on a soft surface, then hard wheels can be the better option.
This comes down to the fact that hard wheels will roll better on a soft surface. This reduces the amount of effort that goes into moving the item supported by the wheels.
Finding the right material for your caster may be tough as not all retailers will stock a wide range of options. Thus, you may need to seek out a specialist company like Caster City, if your local DIY store can’t help you.
Do You Know How to Find the Right Caster Wheels?
Finding the right caster wheels can be tough, but with the help of this post, you should find the process easier to deal with.
You may want to test out a particular set of wheels, before buying them in bulk. In doing so, you’ll be able to decide whether that particular wheel is right for your needs.
Yes, this can be a tedious process to go through. But if you want to find the perfect wheels for your situation, this is the best way to get the job done.
Are you buying casters so workers are less likely to injure themselves when transporting something? Read this post for more tips on how you can limit workplace injury.
