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Once you know the environment in which a caster will function and the loads it will carry, you're well on your way to knowing which caster your customer needs.
With all of the options in the marketplace today selecting the right caster can be a harrowing experience. The first step in selecting the appropriate caster is to examine the physical environment in which the caster will be operating. Note the type and condition of the floor, how much moisture is present, whether the caster will be exposed to any type of corrosive agent, and if the caster will be forced to withstand extreme temperatures. The second step is determining what sort of job the caster will perform. How much weight the caster will be expected to bear, as well as the impact load, or initial force when the load is dropped onto the casters, should both be carefully considered.
Wheels
In many ways the wheel is the heart and soul of the caster. Wheel type is one of the critical variables in determining the load capacity and rollability of a caster. In general large wheels roll more easily than small ones. However, the type of wheel tread selected also affects rollability. Hard narrow crowned tread, such as treads constructed of metal or phenolic plastics (reinforced thermoset or high-impact plastic) both increase rollability and make steering easier. Unfortunately these gains in performance come at a price. Hard narrow crowned treads cause wear on floors and tend to create a good deal of excess noise. Although flat soft treads (polyurethane and rubber) may not roll or steer with the ease of the hard narrow crown treads they are...