Caster Selection Tips

• Hard tread wheels have greater load capacity and roll easier than soft tread wheels of the same size.
• Soft tread wheels are quietier, roll over flood obstacles easier, and cushion impact better than hard tread wheels.
• Large diameter wheels roll easier and have greater load capacity than small diameter wheels of same material and tread width.
• Large tread width wheels have a greater load capacity than small tread width wheels of the same material and wheels diamter.

Wheel Bearings:

• Sintered Metal Bearing: Historically found in all rubber wheels. They have gradually been replaced over the years by a plastic insert (Delrin^®, etc.) bearing which has better lubricity and corrosion resistance.
• Plain Bearing: Most common in all plastic wheels. The wheel base material functions as the bearing.
• Plastic Insert Bearing (Delrin^®, etc.) Commonly used in all rubber and 2 piece plastic core mold-on tread wheels.
• Ball Bearing:Standard ball bearings most common in all plastic and 2 pice plastic core mold-on tread wheels with a 1 - 1 1/2" tread width. Precision ball bearing are for high load capacity wheels and provide optimum start-up and rolling ease.
• Roller Bearing: Most common in 1 piece plastic, phenlic and metal wheels, and 2 piece mold-on tread wheels typically with a plastic or metal core and a 1 1/2" or greater tread width. Provides optimum start-up and rolling ease. Lubrication required.
• Tapered Roller Bearings: Most common in high load capacity wheels. Provides optimum start-up and rolling ease and protection from some side thrust load. Lubrication is required.