1. Choose the Right Caster
   

2. 
   

There are many types and sizes of casters and wheels available. There is no simple rule to follow in selecting the appropriate caster. There are many variables to consider and many times, these factors must be balanced to select the best caster for your application. Listed here are several of the more important factors to consider when selecting a caster that will have Proven performance and best Price.

Capacity

1. •What is the maximum load weight required?
   

2. •Determine the maximum load capacity (including the weight of the equipment being used) and divide by the number of casters to be used. This will give the load capacity required for each caster. Select a caster that is rated for higher load capacities as a safety Precaution.
   

3. •Do the possibilities of overload, shock, abuse or poor floor conditions need to be considered?
   

4. •The greater the capacity, the larger the wheel diameter required to roll easier.
   

5. NOTE: CASTER CAPACITIES LISTED ON THIS SITE ARE FOR MANUAL OPERATION AT A SPEED OF 3 M.P.H., INTERMITTENT USE AND ROLLED OVER SMOOTH SURFACES.
   

Floor Conditions

1. •Is the wheel diameter large enough to pass over cracks in the floor, over tracks or moldings, chips or other conditions that cause the floor not to be smooth?
   

2. •Is floor protection required?
   

3. •What about noise reduction?
   

4. Resilient tread wheels offer maximum noise reduction and floor protection. Hard tread wheels such as steel have high load capacity, but poor floor protection. Polyurethane tread wheels are a compromise, moderate floor protection with high load capacities.
   

Operating Conditions

1. •What are the ambient conditions?
   

2. •Check the environmental conditions for anything that could effect the operation of your caster and wheel. Verify the wheel type selected will operate in the temperature range of the application. Will the wheel type work if there are acids, oils, chemicals or grease?
   

Do not forget the caster lubrication! Different types of lubricants are used depending on the application requirements, such as high temperature grease (HTG) for ovens and low temperature grease (LTG) for operating temperature below 0º F.

Rollability

1. •The larger the diameter of the wheel, the easier it will roll. On smoother floors, the harder the tread, the easier the caster will roll. Resilient treads work best on rough floor surfaces, but can be difficult to move manually under heavy loads.
   

2. •Bearing selection will assist in the ease of rolling. Roller bearings carry heavy loads. Ball bearings roll easier with less load carrying capacity.