Many businesses and warehouse managers might not be aware that you can select a certain kind of tread for your casters. This is something you especially want to look into when it comes to increasing the efficiency of your business operation. Every little improvement counts!
Wearing the Wrong Shoe for the Job
Imagine having to go to hiking and wearing shoes meant for a day at the office. It is uncomfortable, painful and bothersome. The wearer cannot gain the full hiking experience and enjoy it because he or she cannot hike efficiently.
Imagine now that the casters on the bottom of furniture and equipment are the same as your shoes. Therefore, the same is true for having a caster with the wrong tread for the job. Pairing a caster with the wrong tread could result in uncomely consequences that could cause a complete halt in your business operation and in some instances, could be quite the liability.
Minding the Small Details When Shopping for Casters
Running a business operation can be quite laborious mentally and physically. We understand the last thing you might be worried about is the casters on your furniture and equipment. For the most part, you won’t have to with Douglas Equipment as your material-handling equipment supplier. Our staff has acquired decades of experience in the material-handling industry and we can help you get the most out of your furniture and equipment by simply lacing it with the right kind of shoes.
Just like wearing the wrong shoes to run a 10K can eventually cause damage to the feet, shins, hips, and possibly the back, so it is when your office furniture and equipment don’t have the right kind of foundation.
There are many details that can and should be considered when it comes to choosing a caster. Many things in fact, are often overlooked. And one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a caster is the type, material and size of the tread.
More Than One Reason to Consider Flooring Details for Casters
Depending on what the casters are attached to and the task it’s trying to accomplish, it is very important to consider what type of surface the casters will be rolling on. Different floors and surfaces offer different types of traction, and in turn will offer different types of resistance to rolling objects, like casters. Therefore, when considering the best caster for the job, it is very important to be aware of the type of floor that they will be used on.
What Type of Flooring Should You Be Aware of When Buying Casters?
Here’s a short list of the type of floors you need to be conscious of when selecting the right type of tread for your caster:
- Hardwood
- Carpet (and the different kinds of threads)
- Cement
- Tile
- Linoleum
- Wood
- Cork
For Casters, the Environment Matters
You’ll also need to be cognizant of the environment. Extreme temperatures can have a direct effect on how well or bad a caster can perform. Haven’t you ever wondered how a shopping cart can roll so well in a parking lot full of salty sludgy snow? It’s because there are special casters that are engineered to withstand such harsh conditions.
Another very important reason to consider the material of the floor is to prevent undue damage, both to the floor and to the casters. Some surfaces are more easily scratched, dented, and damaged and therefore to protect the investment that has been made in the flooring it is important to understand the different caster tread and material options available.
Select Your Caster from an Array of Material and Tread Options
Casters come in all types of materials and sizes. Some of the tread types for light and medium weight jobs include:
- Performa Rubber with flat tread
- Polyolefin
- Hi-tech Polyurethane
- Cushion Rubber
- Hard Rubber.
For casters that will be carrying a heavier load some of the material and tread options include:
- Performa Rubber with flat tread
- Performa Rubber with round tread
- Performa Conductive Flat
- Performa Conductive Round
- Polyolefin, Maxim
- Hi-Temp Thermo
- Polyurethane Hi-Tech
- Phenolic
- Cast Iron
Also, depending on the type of caster some materials are available in different sizes ranging from 7/8” tread to 1 and ½” tread.
Making the Right Caster Choice
No matter the job at hand, the material or equipment to be moved, or the surface over which it has to be moved, there is a perfect caster that is made just for the circumstance. Once you know the answers to these questions the job is almost done.
The next and final thing that needs to be done is selecting the right caster for the job, just as you would pick the right pair of shoes for the corresponding outing.
Partner with a Company That Knows Casters!
When it comes to casters, Douglas Equipment knows. We understand the difference it can make when you have the right tool for the job. Our customer service team is more than happy to help you sort through the various caster options that are available in different sizes, materials, mountings and treads. It’s our job to ensure that your job goes as smoothly as possible, because when you succeed, we succeed!
When you’re ready to equip your furniture and material-handling equipment with the right shoe tread, contact us and lets talk casters! Call our toll-free number at 1-800-451-0030. If you just have one or two questions, then use our online contact form. We are waiting to answer all of your caster questions!
