Posts Categorized: Casters for Everybody

Selecting The Proper Caster

Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

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There is no simple formula or rule that can be followed in selecting the proper casters. Many varying and individual factors must be balanced to make the selection that will do the best job for you. The following are several of the more important considerations.

 

Load Weight. The heavier the load, the larger the wheel required for the caster. The weight of the load also influences the mobility of the wheel. Roller or ball bearings are recommended for loads over 400 pounds. Every caster has a defined load capacity.

Floor Conditions. Make sure the wheel you select is large enough to pass over cracks in the floor, tracks, moldings and other obstructions. For floor protection on linoleum, tile, carpet, etc., use polyurethane or soft rubber wheels.

Unusual Conditions. Each wheel material has certain characteristics which will give the best results where unusual conditions exist. For example, where acids, oils, chemicals and other conditions harmful to rubber are present, polyurethane, polyolefin, phenolic or steel wheels are recommended. Check conditions, then select your caster and wheel.

Rolling Ease. The larger the wheel diameter, the easier it rolls. Roller bearings carry heavier loads. Ball bearings roll easier but carry lesser loads. When possible, use the largest ball bearing wheel for best results.

Heavy Duty Casters

Monday, May 23rd, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

Heavy duty casters offer increased weight capacity and durability in the 2” tread widths as well as introduces larger wheel sizes up to 10” x 2-1/2” at economical prices. The yoke construction is made from 1/4” thick cold rolled steel.  Double ball bearing raceways are deeply formed, polished and heat treated, offering a smooth swivel action and superior durability. The legs are designed and formed for resistance to side thrust failure and are robotically welded to a large 3-1/4” diameter raceway. The swivel raceway & top plate are held together with a 3/4” heat treated nut & bolt kingpin and has a 1/2” axle.  Grease fittings mounted in the swivel raceway & wheel axle and in most wheel hubs.Heavy Duty Casters

There are many types of wheels and dozens of bearings, brakes and options to choose from. With capacities up to 1500 pounds, common applications include various material handling carts, A-Frames, terminal dollies, gantries, hoppers, ground support equipment, trash containers, and various other medium heavy duty equipment.

Majority of wheel types are NSF Listed.

Medium-Heavy Duty Casters

Monday, May 23rd, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

Medium-Heavy Duty CastersMedium-Heavy Duty Casters are one of the most recognized and commonly used casters in a broad spectrum of industries and is one of our most popular selling caster series. Offering exceptional quality, functionality, value and availability! With capacities up to 1200 pounds, this series is a real workhorse. Sizes are available from 3 to 8 inches in diameter with 1-1/2” or 2” tread widths.

This series is made from 1/4” thick cold rolled steel; designed, formed and welded for optimal mobility and made to withstand the rigors and abuses typical for medium-heavy duty caster applications. Double ball raceways and a 5/8” nut & bolt kingpin are standard features. There are nearly 40 wheels and dozens of bearings, brakes and options to choose from. Popular applications include various carts, trucks, dollies, racks and equipment for almost every industry. Types of industry include industrial, warehousing, hospitality, institutional, food service, food processing, retail displays, and endless other medium-heavy duty applications.

• Economically priced for OEM high volume usage.
• Matching total-locking casters are available.
• Zinc plated finish is attractive & corrosion resistant.
• Large selection of wheels, bearings & brake options.
• Zerk grease fitting in raceway & axle for maintenance.
• Majority of this series and wheel types are NSF Listed.

Light-Medium Duty Casters

Monday, May 23rd, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

Light-Medium Duty CastersThis series of light-medium duty casters offer a wide selection of standard and uncommon stem and plate types popular in institutional & food service applications. This Durable Superior Casters® series comes standard with a dust cap covering the upper raceway. Durable has over 30 different wheel variations, colors, bearings and other featured options. Available in 3-5 inch diameter wheels, these casters have load capacities ranging from 175 to 350 pounds.

Although the series’ biggest applications are found in the institutional & food service industries, these casters are also used in many other applications including: wire shelving, material handling carts & trucks, food processing equipment, bakery racks, conveyors, laboratory equipment, retail displays, store fixtures, and various other light-medium duty applications requiring plate or stem casters

• Wide variety of popular stem & plate options.
• Double ball raceways offer improved swiveling action and durability.
• Standard zinc plated finish is attractive and corrosion resistant.
• Fork and leg assembly designed and formed for maximum durability and long term service.
• Economically priced for OEM high volume usage.
• Large selection of wheels & options.
• NSF Listed.

What To Look For When Buying Office Chair Casters

Monday, May 23rd, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

Having the proper office chair casters on your furniture makes working in an office setting much more enjoyable.  You should select office chair wheels that are appropriate for your floor. By making this decision based on your flooring, you won’t have to worry about your chair getting bogged down in thick carpeting or sliding all over slick floors. Also, be sure to consider functionality and style when choosing office chair casters.

Select office chair wheels that are appropriate for your floor.

Office Chair CastersThe key to finding the right office chair casters is selecting wheels that are appropriate for your flooring. For example, twin roller wheels are an ideal option for carpeted floors. Twin roller wheels glide easily, minimizing the risk of catching on carpet fibers. The wheels offer an even weight distribution that reduces friction, guaranteeing a smooth glide.

Do you work in an office with smooth flooring such as hardwood or tile? Consider a rubber based or polyurethane wheel. Both of these types of wheels grip slick surfaces without leaving marks. As twin rollers can’t gain traction, they do leave marks on smooth floors. Harder rollers can even remove a finish from flooring.

As wheels age, they tend to crack, which hinders their movement. A wheel not rolling as easily as it used to may not seem like a big deal, but it can be quite dangerous. Check the condition of your wheels periodically, and order replacements as needed for your office chair casters.

Consider functionality and style when choosing office chair casters.

Office Chair CastersWhen choosing an office chair caster, consider the weight of the person along with the type of chair that you are putting it on. Most office chairs today will require five casters and will be seen in conference rooms as well as board rooms. For decorative casters you can consider selecting a contemporary or a more traditional style.

 

Casters of Amarillo, Inc. carries an extensive selection of casters and wheels ranging from light duty to heavy duty. These products are intended for numerous applications including office chairs, carts, and material handling equipment. We also carry additional material handling equipment that enables productivity and ultimately, profitability. Do you need a custom order? Our specialists can build casters for specific needs. To learn more about our products and services, give us a call today at 1(800) 658-6112 or Contact Us via email. You can also stop by our business at 1520 S. Polk St. in Amarillo, Texas.

 

Quiet Casters (shhhh!!!)

Monday, May 23rd, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

Quiet CastersRubber wheels

Have you ever experienced an environmental noise disturbance?  I’m not speaking of honking cars, roaring trains and planes or just people who talk loud.  This is a more subtle noise.  So, picture yourself in a few scenarios such as:

  • Watching a theatrical performance and the scene change is loudly announced by rolling out the next set (clanka, clanka, clanka).
  • Eating at a nice restaurant and you hear the dessert cart rolling across the travertine tile (clanka, clanka, clanka).
  • Listening to the Sunday sermon as they move the communion cart through the church (clanka, clanka, clanka).

At work, home, school or play, the wrong wheel on the wrong type of floor is downright annoying.  You may not be aware of those obnoxious noises, but now that you are, they will haunt you!

With today’s caster and wheel technology, this is not necessary.  A soft wheel on a hard floor is the first solution to the problem.  If you need assistance finding quiet casters or wheels  just give us a call.  Casters of Amarillo is here to help you find the solution for a more “ghostly” ride.

Casters of Amarillo, Inc.  serve as a prime distributor of quality casters, wheels and material handling equipment to the Panhandle area and beyond.  We are knowledgeable in caster applications for home, business and industry and provide solutions for most non-powered material handling equipment needs.  We are noted for the quality lines of equipment we carry that are made in the USA.

Just A Thought About Casters

Monday, May 23rd, 2016 Published By: Roy Williams

As society  has moved forward,  industry and institutional needs have dramatically changed.  When it comes to the caster industry, that can readily be seen with the fact that thousands of different types, styles and caster configurations exist today that were not seen even 20 years ago.  A quick stroll through a  catalog may be a little mind boggling.  One will most likely be able to rule out the extra heavy duty drop forged steel casters from their daily shopping list.But where does one start?  We, of course, recommend that you call the brain trust (that would be Casters of Amarillo) to make your job easier as well as more economical since we can roll you in the right direction, letting you know what’s on sale and what will work best to meet your needs.

Here are a few things the ole brain must think about:

  1. What is the total weight of the item you wish to put on casters?
  2. What type of floor will you be operating on?
  3. What type of environment will the caster be in?
  4. How are the they to be mounted…plate or stem?

As the thought process continues, think about; floor protection, extreme hot/cold conditions, wet/dry environments,  exposure to acid, oil, grease and lubricants,  speed that the equipment moves at, noise considerations and so forth.  Just give Casters of Amarillo a call @ (806) 373-2884.  We’re a friendly bunch and quality casters are what we sell.

Disclaimer:  Casters will not cause hallucinations or paranoia, however, finding the right one may cause severe frustration or brain drain.