How to Maintain a Wheel Castor
Heavy duty castor are used within the materials handling industry to reduce the force needed to move equipment. This decreases fatigue and increases productivity. It also allows equipment to be moved by multiple people in an efficient and safe manner.
A wheel is a small circular device that is designed to be mounted on a larger object. It can be made of cast iron, plastic, rubber, polyurethane, forged steel, stainless steel, aluminum or other materials.
The wheel is connected to a frame that enables it to roll or swivel, usually in a 360 degree rotation. The frame is called a yoke and is often found on both rigid and swivel casters.
There are many types of casters that include various features that make them useful for different applications. Swivel casters pivot around a bolt and nut kingpin, which allows them to turn as well as roll.
Rigid casters do not have a kingpin and their wheels are fixed in place on a frame or rig. This type of caster is used for heavy duty and shock load applications.
How to Choose the Right Heavy-Duty Caster for Your Application
Some casters are equipped with a braking feature to prevent the wheel from turning. These can be either directional locks or total locks.
Having a regular maintenance routine for your wheel castor is important to maintaining its integrity and longevity. This includes regularly checking the lubrication, fasteners and hardware that connects the caster to the machine. This will ensure that the wheel does not wear down prematurely and that it can be inspected for any broken parts that may need to be replaced.