Your guide to buying wheels and castors
Wheels and Castors Buying Guide
Tyre Properties are often the first thing to consider when choosing wheels or castors.
One Piece Nylon:
· Economical, hard wearing and very low rolling resistance.
· Smooth running on flat surfaces.
· High resistance to breakage and wear.
· Resistant to most acids and alkalis.
· Can be noisy on uneven surfaces.
· Good in areas with debris on the floor.
Rubber:
· Quiet running.
· Good vibration absorption.
· Grey and blue variations are non-marking and provide good protection to floor and load.
· Suitable for use on most floors.
Polyurethane:
· High load capacities.
· Quiet running with good protection to floor and load.
· Low rolling resistance.
· High resistance to wear, oils and metal cuttings.
· Good grip on smooth floors.
· Will not mark/damage floors.
· More hard wearing than rubber.
Pneumatic:
· Excellent performance on poor or uneven surfaces.
· Kind to floors.
· High impact resistance.
· Requires periodic maintenance (inflation / tread inspection)
Puncture Proof:
· Offer the same performance of pneumatic tyred wheels but without the risk of punctures.
Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR):
· Hard wearing.
· Low noise.
· High load capacity.
· Very low rolling and swivel resistance.
· Will not mark/damage floors.
· Good grip on solid floors.
· Wider operating temperature range than rubber.
Cast Iron:
· Extremely robust and hard wearing.
· Very high load capacities and able to withstand a broad range of temperatures.
· Resistant to chemicals.
Specialist Wheels and Castors:
Please note wheels and castors are available for more specialised applications, such as wheelie bins, waste containers and pallet trucks. Corrosion resistant stainless steel castors, for example, are designed to operate in harsh working conditions such as kitchens and food production areas, or in sterile environments where equipment requires through cleaning, such as in laboratories and health care.
Other Considerations
Capacity:
Always be on the safe side, capacities given apply to normal working conditions. For a four-wheel application, divide the total load (i.e. the combined weight of the load and trolley in kg) by three to give a required wheel/castor load capacity (on uneven ground, only three wheels might be in contact with the surface.) Castors are available in pressed steel or (for more demanding applications) fabricated steel.
Size:
A larger wheel will tend to smooth out unevenness and be easier to roll. Larger diameters will usually have higher load capacities.
Bearings:
Wheels fitted with bearings will not carry more weight but will be easier to move.
· Plain:
The simplest type of bearing, which is a bearing surface with no rolling element. They are compact, lightweight, and suitable for light to medium loads.
· Roller:
Allows the load to be spread over a large area allowing the bearing to handle greater loads than a ball bearing.
· Ball:
The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational friction. They tend to have lower load capacity for their size but are long lasting. They also absorb axial load when being towed.
Fixing Wheels:
Hub width and bore can be critical.
Fixing Castors:
A range of top fixings and finishes are available. Dimensions such as fixing hole centres and fitted height should be checked carefully.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Please note that legislation and regulation information may not apply to your area and/or may have since been updated. Please check regulations and legislation with your local authority. You should also seek independent advice about any legal matter.
View our full range of products on www.slingsby.com or email our team at sales@slingsby.com for further help.
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