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Expert

  • The Caster Side Brake Dilemma

     

    Swivel casters pivot as a cart turns. And while this is good news for maneuverability and ergonomics, it can create difficulty in accessing certain types of side brakes.  There are two schools of thought on this:

     

    Position half of the brakes on one side of the caster, half on the other

     

    Advantages: The brakes are accessible on both sides of the cart when the caster is is the trailing position 

     

    Disadvantages: None of the brakes are accessible if the caster is in a leading position

     

    Position all brakes on the same side of the caster

     

    Advantages: A brake is always accessible, whether a caster is in a trailing or a leading position 

     

    Disadvantages: A brake is only accessible from one side of the cart at any point

     

    While there is certainly no “right” answer to this dilemma, CasterDepot side brakes are by default positioned on the same side.  Let us know if you’d prefer us to assemble them differently when placing your order. 

  • Proud to be ISO 9001 QMS Certified!

     

    ISO, or the International Organization of Standards, is an independent, non-governmental, global federation of 165 national standards bodies.  These bodies work to develop voluntary, consensus-based international standards.  Standards can be thought of as formulas for the best way of doing something.

     

    What is QMS?

    “QMS” is shorthand for Quality Management System.  Organizations often put Quality Management Systems in place to improve performance and reduce quality related failures.  

    ISO 9001 QMS Certification focuses on the following principles:

              Meet customer requirements and strive to exceed expectations 

              Establish purpose, direction and alignment

              Ensure competency, emopowerment and engagement

              Understand and manage as a system of interrrealated processes

              Seek continual improvement

              Make decisions based on the analysis and evaluation of data

              Foster great relationships with all parties

     

    Why is this important?

    We are trusted every day to consistently provide superior-quality caster and wheel solutions.  We take this responsibility very seriously.  Our decision to pursue and obtain ISO 9001 QMS Certification demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality product every time.

  • Ergonomic Casters

     

    We've all heard the term ergonomics thrown around.  But what does it mean?  And how does that relate to casters?

    Ergonomics is the science and practice of designing jobs or workplaces to match the capabilities and limitations of the human body.  Many jobs involve pushing or pulling carts or equipment.  Using intentionally ergonomic casters on carts can go a long way in making a workplace safer and more efficient.  

    There are several factors involved in ergonomic caster design.

     

     

     

     

    In general, the larger the wheel diameter, the greater the ergonomic benefit

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In general, the harder the wheel, the greater the ergonomic benefit

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Some types of wheel material, like polyurethane, offer ergonomic benefits over other types

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Some types of bearings, like sealed precision ball bearings, offer ergonomic benefits over other types

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Some types of rigs, like kingpinless, offer ergonomic benefits over other types

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In general, the more extended the lead, the greater the ergonomic benefit 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In general, the more crowned the wheel face, the greater the ergonomic benefit

     

     

     

    Questions about what ergonomic caster is right for you?  Stop by or give us a call.  We've been the expert in casters and wheels for more than 40 years.

  • Choosing the Best Caster for a Janitorial Cart

    A janitorial cart isn’t very useful unless it’s tough and versatile.

    The same thing can be said about janitorial cart casters.

    Most janitorial cart casters attach using either a top plate, grip ring stem or a threaded stem.

    It is critical to select the correct mounting type for the cart.

    Janitorial carts are often used on a variety of flooring types, so it is important that the caster wheels are able to perform well on multiple surfaces.

    And since they will likely be exposed to a variety of elements, the wheels must be able to tolerate water, chemicals and oil.

    We recommend using TPR (thermoplastic rubber) wheels in janitorial applications because they are:

     

    Non-marking
    Floor Protectant
    Oil and chemical resistant
    Excellent in wet conditions
    High performing across multiple flooring surfaces

     

     

     

    If you have any questions or would like to learn more about janitorial cart casters, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our caster experts.  We are only a call, click or visit away.

  • Metal wheels: Spinning sensations or caster catastrophes?

     

    Make no mistake, metal wheels can be the perfect choice for some applications.  Their high capacities allow for the movement of heavy loads.  And because of the hardness (and corresponding low deformity) of the wheels, there is less rolling resistance.  This makes carts easier to push or pull, which is good news for ergonomics and employee safety.  Metal wheels are resistant to debris, long-lived, temperature and chemical tolerant, and can be economical. 

    But metal wheels can be the wrong choice, too.  The hardness that increases rollability can also be damaging to floors.  And they can be louder than other wheel types.  And since metal wheels don’t offer the cushioning that softer tread wheels do, they can have a disastrous effect on more delicate cargoes.

    So, is a metal wheel the right solution for your application?  The short answer is: maybe.  The world of casters is surprisingly complex.  And whether or not you’re ready to purchase, the experts at CasterDepot are here to teach, advise and make things easy.  

     

              Forged steel offers some of the highest capacities available.

    Albion’s FS Series

     

              Ductile steel provides excellent impact resistance.

    Albion's FR Series

     

             Cast iron combines strength and affordability.

    Colson's 5-8 Series

     

              Stainless is ideal for high capacity corrosive or washdown applications.

    Hamilton's Series S

     

  • How To: Make a Cart or Hand Truck Roll More Easily

     

    Ever wonder why some carts/floor trucks are harder to pull/push than others?  Basically, it comes down to rolling resistance.  The greater the rolling resistance, the more force it takes to move the cart.

     

       

    So, what causes rolling resistance?  

       Three things:

       - The load (weight)

       - The flooring surface 

       - The wheel

       We’ll assume that load is a non-consideration.

       (ie. it would stay constant) 

     

     

    Flooring surfaces naturally deform under weight, and this plays a significant role.  Compare sand to concrete, for example. Obviously, sand will deform quite a bit more than concrete, and therefore will create greater rolling resistance.  The other thing that should be considered is the surface’s condition, ie. it’s unevenness, slope or cleanliness.

    As far as the wheel is concerned, the greatest impact comes from the diameter of the wheel and the amount the wheel deforms.  As a general rule, a soft tread wheel (like rubber) will deform more than a hard tread wheel (like steel).  

     

    Ok, so how do I make my cart or hand truck roll more easily?

    Assuming that nothing can be done about the load or the flooring surface (other than keeping it clean), that leaves the following options:  

    - Use a larger wheel

    - Use a wheel that has a harder tread

     

    Hmmm.  That’s too simple, there must be a catch.

    It is, and yeah.  Like everything else in life, there are upsides and downsides to focusing only on rollability.  Among other things, harder tread wheels can be loud and damage flooring.  Larger wheels often cost more, can make the cart impractical or even make it less maneuverable.  

    Truly, there are a lot of factors to consider.  And whether or not you are ready to purchase, CasterDepot is here to help you make sense of the surprisingly complex world of casters and wheels.         

     

     

  • How Does Proposition 65 Affect Casters?

    How Does Proposition 65 Affect Casters?

    If you’ve ever seen a warning label that says “This product contains chemicals known to cause cancer in the state of California” -- then you’ve experienced the effects of California’s Proposition 65. Continue reading

  • How to Save Your Snowy Driveway with Casters

    Back in September, we received an inquiry from a gentleman in Pennsylvania with an interesting project. He wanted to avoid bulldozing his gravel and grass when plowing sections of his driveway. So he designed a rig that would attach to the back of his tractor plow to allow for a 2” clearance. He needed two heavy duty casters and wheels that could withstand the impact and shear force of plow operation and easily roll over rocks and bumps.

    Continue reading

  • Easy on, easy off: Clamp on casters

    When it comes to attaching casters, a few styles are typically the most prevalent: top plates, threaded stems, grip ring stems, grip neck stems and expanding adapter stems.

    Every once in a while though, we run into something that is a little less common. These uncommon caster mounting types include U-plates, holes-in-the-head, knurled stems and others. Recently, we came across a more unusual mounting option: a clamp-on. Continue reading

  • Leveling casters and the FootMaster difference

    The FootMaster GD-80F is a client favorite

     

    Leveling casters boast a superior design that allows not just the mobility of loads, but also a unique locking system that prevents movement. The addition of an anti-vibration cushion, plus a mechanism to raise and lower this cushion creates a unique feature: the supported load may sit completely level to the floor when desired or the load can be raised if mobility is needed. Leveling casters are sworn by in a number of industries (pharmaceutical, medical, woodworking, et al.) and the FootMaster brand's leveling caster products are the industry benchmark for quality and performance. When you are seeking the most reliable mobility solution among leveling casters, you're looking for FootMaster products.


    Continue reading

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