When it comes to transferring goods from one location to another, one of the most labor-saving methods is to utilize mobile equipment on casters. Rather than moving the goods by hand., transferring the goods using mobile equipment saves time and effort. There are many types of casters. All portable equipment must have some kind of caster.
The kind of caster needed depends on how heavy the equipment is that they are supporting and whether they will be operating in a wet, dry, or oily situation. There are also other questions to be considered. What temperature will the casters be performing in and have to withstand? What type of floor are the casters going to be rolling across? Do you need to use a noise reducing caster?
Casters can also be provided as either rigid or swivel. A rigid caster also called a fixed caster, lacks the maneuverability of a swivel caster which allows movement in all directions. Some mobile equipment is combined with a combination of fixed and swivel casters. Casters can be provided with or without brakes. You can lock the equipment with brakes and prevent it from rolling when you need it to be stationary.
Casters can be provided in different sizes. Most commonly, they come in 4” and 5” diameters. 3” diameter casters may be required on low profile or under-counter mobile carts. 6” casters may be required when extra distance is mandated between the floor and the base of the equipment for cleaning. One negative component of 6” diameter casters is that the mobile cart that they are supporting tends to be less stable. However, since the equipment can be easily moved to facilitate cleaning, this is not often an issue.
Lastly, you do not want to be tempted by the price of cheap casters that are available. Suppose you are using these casters on a lightweight, portable cart that is rarely moved and only moved across a smooth, nonabrasive floor. In that case, you might get satisfactory results, but for more substantial hi-capacity carts, often moved for long distances over a harsh surface, you will regret being thrifty when it comes to choosing casters.
