Plate Casters

Posted by Nova Smith on October 10th, 2022

When shopping for industrial plate casters, there are two main types to keep in mind: swivel casters and rigid casters. Each type of caster has its pros and cons.

Both fixed and swivel casters have bearings in the wheel that let them move the wheel back and forth along a path. This movement can be used to turn the wheel or put force on the load to move it up or down. On fixed casters, this force is applied by a bearing that is mounted on the inside of the caster. In a swivel caster, a ball bearing is mounted to the outside of the wheel within the “raceway.”

No other wheel material works better than soft rubber when it comes to how it moves. Our soft grey rubber wheels don’t leave marks, are quiet, absorb shock (which protects cargo and extends the life of the equipment), can roll over small objects, protect expensive floors, and reduce vibration. They are not perfect because they are not easy to roll when they are full.

Caster wheels made of forged steel and ductile steel have high ductility and tensile strength, so they can take shocks and hits without breaking. In normal use, these solid (no spokes) wheels can’t be broken. Their load ratings are only limited by how much capacity they can hold.

Caster wheels made of solid hot-rolled steel bars are called “machined steel.” They can handle shock loads very well and have a high capacity, durability, and performance. You can choose between a 3/4-inch ID bronze bearing or a 3/4-inch ID roller bearing. Both wheels come with a 1/2′′ ID Spanner Bushing so that they can be put on a 1/2′′ caster axle.

Depending on the use, these steel wheels can handle temperatures up to 700° F. Steel roller bearings and spanner bushings can start to anneal at temperatures above 400°F that stay the same for a long time. For applications where temperatures are higher than 400° F, please talk to our engineering department.