Choosing the Right Castor for Your Workspace - Top 5 Mistakes

August 9, 2013

Ross Castors

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When most companies begin thinking about adding casters to their machines, equipment, carts, chairs, or even appliances, they wrongly assume they are in for an easy decision. Many believe a caster is simply a caster, and there’s no real difference between furniture castors and pneumonic casters.

The problem is, these two types of castors are completely different in their benefits and uses, as are every other caster available on the market. Choosing a caster without considering its qualities, features, and uses is like sticking your hand into a jar of candy with your eyes closed. Sure, you might end up with that peanut butter filled chocolate bar, but you could just as easily pull out a piece of taffy. Going in blind and ignoring what you are looking at will not only result in a purchase you aren’t satisfied with, but a product that doesn’t work the way you want it to.

Common Mistakes Made When Choosing Castors

When choosing the right castor for your company, it is extremely important to avoid the following mistakes.

Forgetting the Flooring- One of the most basic questions you need to ask before purchasing a castor is the type of flooring it will be used on. Contrary to popular belief, there are certain casters that work well on certain types of flooring. For instance, almost any castor can be used on hardwood floors. On the other hand, if the location where the casters are being used is carpeted, you’ll want to use twin-wheel castors made of polyurethane or nylon.

Shrugging Off Weight- Whether the castors will be supporting equipment, appliances, or human beings, it is essential to consider the weight and pressure they will be under. Some castors can handle heavy duty loads, while others might fail under too much pressure simply because they were not designed to withstand it.

Minimising the Power of Use- Where and how will the castor be used? The location and purpose play a big role in the type of caster chosen. If the caster will be exposed to high or low temperatures, a castor designed to withstand those temperatures is needed. If the caster will on gates, gate castors will be needed. The same applies for furniture castors.

Not Considering Cleanliness- While most castors can be cleaned and maintained easily, when their use demands the utmost cleanliness, like when they are being used in a medical facility, it is essential to use stainless steel castors. These casters resist stains, germs, and rust, making them the ideal solution when keeping items sanitary is an important factor.

Failing to Consider the Lifetime- No one can predict the exact length of time any one caster will last, mainly because a lot of factors weigh in on this conclusion. When choosing the right castor for your work environment, you must be able to consider these factors ahead of time so you choose the best option. These factors can include temperature, rough terrain, proximity to corrosive materials, and moisture. When casters are exposed to these elements they wear down more easily, especially if they are not designed to withstand these factors.

Need to purchase new castor wheels for your company? Before you make your decision, make sure you are avoiding the most common mistakes. By doing so, you can be sure you are using the correct castors for the right application.