Tips for Maintaining Castor Wheels for Long Lasting Results

July 6, 2013

Ross Castors

Views

When many individuals purchase castor wheels for their carts, furniture, or equipment, they expect the wheels to last forever. While the majority of casters are tough and long-lasting, however, they still have to be cared for properly to ensure they work well throughout the years. If the castors are allowed to become worn and dirty, they will often fail to work properly, slowing down progress in the workplace and perhaps even causing workplace injuries to occur.

In order to prevent this, you have to take steps to practise preventative care for any type of castor you own.

Preventative Care Techniques for Casters

Check Fasteners- Every once in a while, take a few seconds out of your day to thoroughly inspect the castor wheels. Take a look at the fasteners and wheel frames and carefully inspect them to make sure there aren’t any loose nuts and bolts, broken welds, or damaged deck boards. If you recently purchased the castors and they look as if they are broken or damaged already, the problem might lie in the way you are using them. Double check to make sure you are using the correct castor for the job; some castors aren’t meant to be used on rough terrain, while others aren’t intended for heavy use.

Wheel Surfaces- Turn the chair, cart, or equipment over so you can get a good look at the caster wheel surface to check for visible signs of tread wear. Do you notice any flat spots? If so, there is most likely a foreign material that has accumulated in the wheel; string, hair, or thread may have wrapped around the wheel, binding it in place. This often results in a flat spot on the wheel because the castor is unable to turn properly. If the casters are worn too much, replace them immediately.

Cleaning Castors- While some debris may cause long term damage to castors and demand a replacement, other debris, if caught early, can simply be cleaned to preserve the life of the castor. Regularly inspect and clean the castor as much as possible. Vacuum out hair and threads, use a scrub brush and a small bit of soap to remove stuck on debris, and for stubborn debris (such as gum or other sticky substances,) use a butter knife to scrape the debris off and rubbing alcohol to clean and sanitise the surface. If necessary, take the castor apart during the process so you can easily reach the whole surface of the wheel.

Lubricate Fittings- While you have the castor apart, now is the time to lubricate the fixings. This should be done at least once at least every six months. However, the timing will depend on the use of the caster wheels. If they are used in wet or corrosive applications, lubrication will be necessary much more often.

Each and every day, you rely on your castors to help you get the job done. Don’t take them for granted. Inspect them regularly, clean them, and lubricate them so they last for a long time and are able to work as they should.