Buying Heavy Duty Industrial Castor Wheels: 3 Things to Consider
Working in an industrial environment will often involve the relocation of heavy machines and other equipment. Lifting heavy items can involve using cranes or winches which can be dangerous and time-consuming. One solution to this problem is to install castor wheels onto any industrial equipment which frequently needs to be moved. However, only certain types of castor wheels are suitable for this type of use. Below is a guide to some things you should consider when choosing an industrial castor wheel.
The weight of the item you wish to transport
When purchasing industrial castor wheels, it is important that you take the time to assess the weight of the item that you wish to transport and the maximum weight of each design of castor wheel. It is important that the castor wheels can cope with the weight of the item with some surplus capacity. This surplus capacity will be used if you need to move the industrial item over an uneven floor surface, which may cause additional weight to be relocated from any castor wheels which leave the floor and onto those which remain.
The speed at which you wish to move the heavy industrial equipment
Once you have assessed the load bearing capacity of the castor wheels, you should turn your attention to their speed. If you wish for items to be moved at speed, you should avoid opting castor wheels which are made using polyurethane. The friction created when a castor wheel spins at speed over a floor surface can damage the polyurethane outer casing, which may cause it to warp or to become brittle. Steel castor wheels are much a better choice as they will not be damaged by the heat generated by high speeds. Larger wheels will also be able to handle high-speed movements when compared to smaller castor wheels.
The floor surface in your industrial area
Finally, you should consider the floor surface within the industrial area where the castor wheels will be in use. If the castor wheels are frequently utilised in a workshop area where metal filings, fragments of glass or other debris will often be scattered on the floor, you should consider the impact this material may have on the surface of a wheel. If you opt for castor wheels which have a plastic outer coating, this is likely to soon become embedded with debris which will cause it to decay quickly. In instances such as these, you should opt for a metal castor wheel.