Stainless Steel vs. Zinc Plating for Casters and Wheels

Stainless Steel Caster, Rubber Wheel

In this edition we will discuss the differences between Stainless Steel and Zinc Plating for Casters and Wheels. In most cases zinc coating on a caster rig, (fork), is sufficient, but there are some applications where stainless steel is beneficial. First off lets go over the two products. Zinc coating is just that, a coating or plating covering traditional steel to resist corrosion or rust. While stainless steel is corrosion resistant on it own, some stainless products are coated as well, but the steel is naturally resistant to corrosion and rust. The stainless steel casters are definitely more expensive but with a cost analysis they may be cheaper in the long run.

Zinc Plated Caster, Phenolic Wheel

Many food, medical and laboratories use stainless steel
casters on their carts, cages and dollies because they are washed down with chemicals regularly and often steam cleaned. These industries can also not afford to have the work place contaminated by the rust.  The stainless steel is much more resistant to chemicals and steam cleaning.
In cases like these, with excessive wash downs and heavy chemicals it may be simply cheaper to spend the extra money upfront, than to replace the rusted casters and wheels on a regular basis.

For most cases, zinc plated casters and wheels will be sufficient, even if they get wet on occasion, sit outdoors at times or are indoors. Some applications where stainless may be beneficial would be casters on carts that get cleaned often, or if they sit outside all of the time in inclement weather like snow or excessive rain. In industrial settings the casters and wheels are generally zinc coated for the equipment they use.

Caster & Wheels, What is Light , Medium & Heavy Duty?

Caster and wheels are often categorized by their weight handling ability, these categories are simply "Light Duty, Medium Duty, Heavy Duty and Super Duty. To lessen confusion we will define these caster categories to better help you find what you are looking for. Most people will say, " I am looking for a heavy duty caster to replace the ones on my my office chair ". While it is understandable that you are looking for a more durable option, the term heavy duty in our industry would mean something completely different.

Light Duty Casters :

The light duty category of casters and wheels specifications are as follows.  Wheel size; diameter of the wheel is usually between 2" and 5" with a tread width of 7/8" to 1-1/2". The load capacity of Light duty casters is up to roughly 400lbs per caster. So as you can see the "Light duty" can still be very strong and substantial. Typical applications for Light Duty stem or plate mount casters in swivel or rigid would be: Medical equipment, dollies, office chairs, computer carts, Displays and fixtures, Rubbermaid carts and mop buckets, etc. Any cart that has 4 casters and is under 1200lb would qualify as light duty. Usually Rubber, plastic or Polyurethane wheel material.

Medium Duty Casters : 

To qualify as medium duty the wheel size is usually between 3" and 8" in diameter and 2" wide. We call these our 2" wide series and is by far our best selling, most common casters. These caster will have a capacity of up to 1,250lbs each and are used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications. These casters have the most options and the best availability. These casters are found in all industrial and commercial settings, like warehouses, factories etc. Ant industry that requires larger carts and heavier loads. Common wheels, Phenolic, Steel, Rubber, Polyurethane and Nylon

Heavy Duty / Super Duty Casters :

These caster are for industrial uses along with aerospace, foundries and more. The sizes typically range from 4" to 16" in Diameter and 2-1/2" to 4" wide. The weight capacities are up to 20,000lbs each and have options like special tapered bearings and kingpinless casters to Dual wheels. These wheels are usually very large and very heavy so freight shipping may be required. Below are a couple samples of Heavy and Super Duty casters and wheels. Typical Wheel types are Forged Steel, Ductile steel, Cast Iron, Polyurethane on Steel.

Heavy Duty Ductile Wheel Swivel Caster

Super Duty Dual Wheel Caster

 

 

Stem Casters, Common Styles & Applications

There are several different styles of stem casters, from industrial applications to food service carts and dollies to furniture and displays. The problem with these casters and wheels is that there are many options and sizes to choose from and it can at times be confusing. Most stemmed casters are also available in stainless steel.

Pictured are the styles of stems that are most common.







Threaded Stem Casters are the most complex due the size and thread pitch variations available.
These are very common but may need some expertise in determining the correct size.
See measuring a caster on the BuyCasters.com website. These casters are used on displays, furniture, carts and medical equipment, etc. and is usually used in light duty or medium duty applications.

Grip Ring Stems are used on most new office chairs and furniture, seen often on the hooded twin wheel casters for chairs. There are several other applications like Metro Brand Wire shelving, casters for Rubbermaid Mop Buckets and many more. They are designed to fit into a tube or socket and the C-Clip when compressed applies pressure to the tube. Very easy to replace and install.

Expandable Adapter casters are commonly used larger round and sometimes square tubing, these caster stems will expand, within a size range, by tightening the collar on the base of the stem and apply pressure to the walls of the tubing. These can sometimes be difficult to install and a wrench is usually required. Often used in Medium duty industrial and custom applications.

Grip Neck Stems are not used that often anymore, these stemmed casters are mostly seen on older wooden furniture. This stem needs a socket that is hammered into the legs of the furniture and the caster and wheel snaps into the socket.

If you have any questions about your caster and wheel needs please call 1-855-943-3511 or stop by www.buycasters.com

Casters for high temperatute applications

High Temp Phenolic wheel

A common problem for industries that use high temperature applications , (such as industrial, autoclaves, bakeries, paint booths, foundries, etc.), is what caster and wheel to use that won't be affected by the extreme heat.
We can offer a few solutions to the problem. First off a few questions...







What type of heat is it, humid or dry?  

Glass Filled Nylon Swivel Caster

For dry heat we recommend either steel or a high temperature phenolic wheel with a plain bore or roller bearing with high temp grease installed. The Phenolic wheel will offer similar capacities to the steel but won't spark and offer a little better floor protection.
For wet or humid heat applications a high temp glass filled nylon wheel will be perfect. You can use steel wheels but they may rust over time.

Ductile Steel

 How long will the caster be in the heat?
High temperature casters can be in extreme heat but the but the duration of the heat can lessen the overall temperature handling of the caster, wheel and bearings. For extended extremely high temps and periods of time, a steel wheel with a plain bore will be necessary, there may be some engineering involved to allow for expansion around the axle in harsher circumstances.

How hot is it?
All of our products will have heat tolerances listed in the technical specs.

If you have any questions about your application please visit our website or call one of our knowledgeable staff at 1-855-943-3511.

Furniture and Office Chair Casters and Wheels

Twin Wheel Caster

There are several different types of furniture / chair casters, different sizes, colors and styles. The most common type of chair caster is the twin wheel hooded caster, (Pictured right). The stem on this caster is a grip ring stem 7/16" wide or thick by 7/8" tall and has 50mm wheels (2"). Made out of black nylon. This style caster comes on most new office and desk chairs and for the most part is adequate for the job.

Chair / Furniture Caster

If you chair casters have worn out or you are using your chair on hardwood floors, you may want to upgrade to a higher quality caster.

We offer several options for your chairs, the wheels recommended for hardwood floors have a caster with a polyurethane or gray rubber tread and will not scratch or leave marks on the flooring. You could get the same style wheel with polyurethane tread or upgrade to a heavier duty style like the one pictured to the left. This is a gray non marking rubber which will roll quietly and not scuff your flooring.
Hardwood floor safe casters are a common upgrade, while not cheap they are certainly cheaper than having your floor re-finished




While the above mentioned grip ring stem is the most common, there are several types of mounting applications. There is a grip neck stem which is commonly found in older, wooden furniture and usually has a socket that will need replacing. Next is the threaded stem, the most difficult to replace due to the numerous sizes available, measuring is a must height, width and thread pitch is necessary.
Lastly the top plate style, measuring is easy and quick as there are only a few sizes available the top plate style is more commonly used on displays and desks. Expandable adapters are used in furniture with tubular legs and piping.

Stem Style Samples

Casters in the Food Industry

Stainless Steel Swivel Caster

Casters and wheels are a essential partner in the food processing and service industries. These casters range from heavy duty to light duty and come in assortment of styles and options.

Some of the most common are the non marking gray rubber wheels on a stainless steel caster. This is a quiet, easy to roll, corrosion free setup. With the constant cleaning and spraying down of the carts in the food industry, stainless steel is a logical choice. The standard zinc coated casters will resist rusting but over time will corrode and while the stainless option is more expensive this set up will save time and money in the long run.

Another popular one is the high temperature caster and wheel, phenolic or nylon, these wheels will withstand extremely high temperatures, perfect for ovens, autoclaves and steaming. The high temp nylon wheel is perfect for high temps that have a high humidity level or wet applications, the Phenolic is better in dry heat.

The bottom line is that casters are a fixture in the food industry, whether food service carts, dollies, kitchen and bakery racks, equipment or cleaning and service carts like Rubbermaid. Whatever your needs high quality casters and wheels are a must. But the proper application for each casters is paramount. Contact our caster specialists and let them assist you in finding the right casters and wheels for your application.

Product Review: Buy Casters V Groove Wheels

Cast Iron V Groove wheel

V-Groove caster wheels are commonly used in heavy duty industrial applications. They are made of steel / cast iron, Ductile steel , drop forged steel, polyurethane and nylon.
The most common is the cast iron aka semi steel, these are economical and have great capacities and and durability. V groove wheels are specifically made for riding on inverted angle iron track but can be also used on flat surfaces. The "v groove" in the wheel allows for load equalization while running on the track. These wheels, depending on the size, can handle loads up to 3500 lbs per wheel, they have a tensile strength of 30,000 psi, and can handle temps from -40f to 600f.

An excellent high quality option that have been put through rigorous tests to handle the abuse and heavy duty applications of today's industrial and manufacturing industries.

Offered with several bearing types, roller and tapered bearings are the most common.

V-Groove wheels are the perfect solution to keeping those heavy duty carts and dollies safely on track.

Product Review : Rubbermaid Replacement Casters & Wheels

Rubbermaid mop buckets and carts are high quality and expensive equipment that can take some excessive abuse, if your wheel or caster has failed, don't throw away the cart or bucket, replace the casters with an economical and high quality set of casters and wheels. The sets available a BuyCasters.com are direct OEM replacements and exceed the standards of Rubbermaid. 

Mop Bucket Caster Se

Rubbermaid Mop Bucket Casters are 3" diameter thermo plastic non marking rubber wheels with a swivel grip ring stem. The casters are zinc coated to resist corrosion. They fit perfectly into the existing holes on the buckets. Each set of 4 casters comes complete with extra inserts, just in case yours have worn out. 

Rubbermaid 4401, 4500, 4505, 4525 Caster

The  Rubbermaid Cart Casters are a direct replacement for the 4401, 4500, 4505, 4525 series carts. They are made of zinc plated steel with a 5" thermoplastic non marking rubber wheel. The set contains 2 swivel plate mounted casters and 2 rigid plate mounted casters and easily bolt right up to the existing holes in the cart. (mounting hardware not included).
 

Installation of these casters is easy with some basic tools. 

An economical and simple fix to a common problem.

Applications and options for Locking Casters

Casters and wheels by nature roll and move easily, sometimes when we don't want them to. The solution is simple, a brake, to turn your swivel caster into a locking caster and keep your carts and equipment from rolling away.

What brake is right for you?
In this article we will discuss the different styles of brakes for locking casters, from heavy duty industrial to light duty to furniture wheels.

Cam Brake (side brake) is a lever along side of the caster and wheel that when activated pinches the caster fork legs and puts pressure on the spanner and bearing to prevent movement. This is very popular due to it's clean look and easy activation. Note: the lever may stick out past the wheel on 4" and 5" casters. This brake can not be used with sealed precision bearings. Available in stainless steel.








Top Lock Brake (face brake) is the most common style lock for casters. This style has a lever on the side that when activated moves a steel pad onto the top / face of the wheel to prevent movement. A economical option that works well with all types of wheels and bearings. Available in stainless steel.








Tech Lock Brake is an extremely easy to use lock that is mounted to the caster at the front and has a foot lever that when pressed, engages a pad on the top / face of the wheel. These come in  nylon or steel. 
Note: This style will add a couple inches on to the swivel radius.






Total Lock Brake is a fantastic option to completely stop movement on your cart or equipment. The total lock is a more expensive option but it will lock the wheel and the swivel of the caster when actuated. It will stop all movement of the caster. This comes in a single pedal style as pictured and a dual pedal to lock each the swivel and wheel separately. Note: This style will add inches to the swivel radius.

Advantages of Non Marking Casters Wheels

Polyurethane Shopping Cart Wheel

There are several types of wheels that are non marking and choosing the right one for you can be a challenge. We are here to help, while non marking caster wheels have some great advantages they have some deficiencies as well and depending on the wheel material they have different characteristics. 

Polyurethane Wheels
Polyurethane wheels are a great non marking wheel with great rolling, wear and abrasion resistance characteristics, they also offer some cushioning.
These wheels can handle more weight than a rubber wheel and are less affected by the elements / weather and can handle rough surfaces, like concrete and asphalt and still protect a smooth painted or finished flooring. For these reasons grocery stores use polyurethane on there shopping cart casters as well as heavy duty industrial will use a polyurethane tread on their carts and equipment if they need to protect a floor.

Albion XS Gray Rubber Wheel

Rubber Wheels
Rubber wheels are not all non marking, black rubber will usually leave skid marks but will protect a floors finish. For a truly non marking rubber wheel, we suggest "Soft Gray Rubber". This wheel still has decent weight capacities but have excellent cushioning wear resistance, along with quiet smooth rolling operation. these will wear more quickly that the polyurethane but is much quieter. These are often seen on hospital carts and equipment, laboratories, food processing plants and even Home Depot and Lowes use a soft rubber wheel on some of there larger dollies and lumber carts to avoid excessive noise. Some great, commonly used wheels are the BuyCasters Xtra Soft Rubber, the Albion XS Wheel and the Colson Performa wheels. All are excellent quality, come in a variety of sizes and offer the floor protection you will need. 

What ever your needs we can keep you rolling at Buy Casters, call toll free if you have any questions about what caster or wheel is right for you! 
1-855-943-3511 (1-855-WHEEL11)

Shopping Cart Casters and Replacement Wheels

Go to any grocery store or department store and you will see an abundance of casters and wheels. The most common would be the shopping cart casters. These casters and wheels take a lot of abuse from excessive use and from the elements. Just because the wheels are bad does not mean the shopping cart is not worth saving. These cart casters and wheels are out doors in rain, snow and heat, they roll over transitions in and out of stores and are used on rough concrete or asphalt in the parking lots. A quality universal replacement caster and wheel is a necessity to keep your carts rolling smoothly and quietly. 


At BuyCasters.com we sell Pemco and an in house brand, Pemco is an OEM supplier of several cart manufacturers.These are perfect and in some cases exact replacements for your worn wheels. Made from the highest quality polyurethane and using sealed bearings they are extremely durable. 5" Polyurethane wheels are an industry standard because they handle the elements, offer some cushioning and handle heavy loads all while being safe on all flooring. We offer other wheels like a cheaper thermo plastic and a soft rubber but in most cases the polyurethane is the way to go. All wheels and casters are available in  4" and 5" diameters.

Replacing these casters and wheels is as easy as removing one nut and bolt and the new ones simply bolt back up into place, often times when removing the old bolts and axles they may become damaged due to corrosion and rust, new axles are available at an affordable price.

Check out our wide selection and great prices on our website www.buycasters.com or call Toll Free 1-855-943-3511for assistance. Quantity discounts are available on the website or by request.
 

What is a Caster and where are they used?

Look around casters are every where there is rarely a industry that doesn't used casters and wheels in some aspect. Hospitals, grocery stores, offices, industrial plants, delivery and warehouses, laboratories, industrial plants & your home, just to name a few. 

A caster (or castor) is an un-driven (non motorized), single, double, or compound wheel attached to a swivel or rigid caster fork. They are designed to be mounted to the bottom of a larger object, like a cart, dolly, display, furniture or equipment, so as to enable that object to be easily moved. They are available in various sizes, and are commonly made of steel, rubber, polyurethane, plastic, nylon, aluminum, or stainless steel.
Casters are found in numerous applications, including shopping carts, office chairs, and material handling equipment. High capacity, heavy duty casters are used in many industrial applications, such as platform trucks, carts, assemblies, and tow lines in plants. Generally, casters operate well on smooth and flat surfaces. There are options like pneumatic casters that are air filled that will work well on all surfaces and absorb bumps and cracks.

There three most common casters types are as followed...

Rigid Caster                             Swivel Caster 

Rigid Casters: A wheel mounted to a stationary fork with an axle and nut that allows the cart or equipment to roll but will restrict lateral movement.

Swivel Casters: Similar to the rigid in that it is a wheel mounted to a fork, but the swivel will have a pivot to allow the wheel to rotate freely to help with movement and steering.

Locking Caster: Locking casters are usually but not always swivel. These casters are equipped with a brake mechanism to prevent the wheel from rolling when activated.

Casters & Wheels, Choosing from the assortment of options.

There are a wide selection of caster and wheel options like brakes and bearings. We will hopefully give you some insight into choosing the correct options for your application.

First, after choosing your caster size and whether it is swivel or rigid and the wheel you would want to decide on a bearing. There are several choices and we have listed the most popular below.

Plain Bore: With this type there is actually no bearing, the axle rides directly on the hub of the wheel. This is often used in extremely heavy duty applications with very high heat or very light duty like displays and furniture. 

Roller Bearing

Roller Bearing: This is the most popular choice, the axle rides on a greased roller supplying an easy and smoother ride, coupled with a axle with a grease zerk, it is easily maintained. Great for indoors and dry environments on dollies, carts and equipment.

Precision Ball Bearings: These bearings are sealed and need no maintenance or lubrication and are great indoors, outdoors, Perfect for most light to medium duty applications. They offer easier, quieter & smoother rolling characteristics than the roller bearing. Some examples; Medical equipment, lab carts, shopping carts, and dollies

Delrin Bearings: Delrin is a thermoplastic that is used a lot with stainless steel and in wet applications because they will not corrode. They roll better than plain bore but not as well as roller or precision bearings. They are also good in food industries, laboratories and bakeries for steam cleaning, there is a high temp delrin also available.

Tapered Bearings: Tapered are used in heavy duty industrial applications due to the nature of the tapered bearing it can handle much more weight. They are also recommended if you are using a tugger to pull your carts or if they are in a tow line, these bearings can handle higher speeds without over heating and failing. 

Next options are the brakes to turn your casters into locking casters. Mostly brakes are only used on the swivel caster not the rigid.

Top Lock

Top Lock Brake: This brake attaches to the caster and when the lever is pressed it applies pressure to the top of the wheel.This is our most popular brake for locking casters.

Cam Brake: This style has a larger pedal on the side that when depressed pinches the caster at the bearing and prevents it from moving. This style brake works well but only with roller bearing and plain bore wheels.

Tech Lock Brakes: These are a front pedal brake that also puts pressure on the wheel. This option is easier to operate that the rest but increases your swivel radius.

Total Lock: This brake is similar to the reck lock but also locks the swivel on the casters as well as the wheel. Perfect solution for that cart or table that can have no movement at all.

*All the metal bearings and brakes are also 
available in stainless steel for corrosion and rust prevention.

Product Review: Phenolic Caster Wheels for Heavy Duty Applications

Phenolic Swivel Caster

Phenolic Caster Wheels are some of the most widely used and cost effective wheels on heavy duty industrial carts, dollies, equipment and racking. These resin based wheels are a best seller and a favorite of ours at Buy Casters. 
First off, what is a phenolic wheel? Phenolic is a resin mixed with macerated canvas which creates a high capacity, high impact resistant wheel that has many years of proven reliability in the industry. These wheels are nearly as strong as steel wheels and have similar weight capacities, but will not rust, corrode or cause sparking. While they do not offer great floor protection with heavy loads, they are better than steel or metal wheels in that regard.
These exceptional caster wheels come in and abundance of sizes and are offered with most every bearing available, and are in stock and ready to ship out today.

How can I tell a phenolic wheel from black plastic? If you look carefully at the wheel tread face there usually is a stripe down the center of the wheel that is not polished and you can see the grain of the resin there. Also if you tap it with a hammer it has bait more metallic sound than the plastic wheels due to its hardness.

High Temp Phenolic Wheel

Where can I use Phenolic wheels? They can be used most any where, from warehouses to production plants, you will find phenolic wheels everywhere. Phenolic casters are not recommended for high moisture or wet applications like outdoor storage, wash downs and stem cleaning. The excessive moisture can cause cracking and possibly failure, glass filled nylon wheels are a great substitute for wet applications.


We also offer a high temperature phenolic wheel, this version offers higher heat tolerances while maintaining the high load capacities. These wheels like dry heat like ovens and bakeries, if you used in humid or wet applications we recommend high temp nylon. 

All in all we highly recommend the phenolic caster wheel whether on heavy duty industrial carts or medium duty stem and swivel casters for equipment or light or general duty casters for racks and dollies, the phenolic wheel will serve you well. 
Browse our selection of phenolic caster wheels online or call our knowledgeable sales staff toll free today 1-855-943-3511, we will be happy to help.

Why Kingpinless Casters for your Heavy Duty Industrial Applications

Heavy duty industrial, manufacturing, freight terminals, warehouses, air cargo, trash containers and many other industries that utilize heavy loads and abusive situations to carts, dollies, platform trucks, tow lines and heavy equipment can benefit from the use of a Kingpinless swivel caster. 
The swivel casters weakest point is the kingpin, this is the pin / bolt that connects the caster legs to the bearing raceway and top plate. When used in heavy shock loading situations like dropping or throwing the loads on to the cart and continuous heavy side loading. This will cause stress on the caster due to the shock of the side impacts on that kingpin. Also heavy loads on carts and equipment rolling over cracks in pavement, transitions from room to room, loading on and off docks and towing applications. If these carts are rolling at any speed this could cause catastrophic failure to the caster. At Buy Casters we recommend Kingpinless Casters to solve these issues. The Kingpinless casters are designed with no kingpin, these casters are made out of ASTM1045 steel and have a drop forged top plate integrated with a forged and precisely machined raceway with a single row of hardened ball bearings. The legs are formed and double welded to the outer raceway for maximum strength. This allows these casters to carry the maximum weight of the bearings used, without horizontal wear, kingpin failure or fracturing of welds, these advantages enable our kingpinless casters to handle extreme side thrust force.

If you are using casters in these applications or are looking for an excellent heavy duty swivel caster and wheels that utilizes a top plate, the kinpinless casters may be just what you need. While the kinpinless casters cost a bit more initially the savings will come from a longer lasting caster and a safer workplace. 
Browse our selection of kinpinless casters and wheels today. If you have trouble finding what is right for you, please call us toll free at 1-855-943-3511 (1-855-WHEEL11) we will be happy to help you!

Caster and Wheels for Metro Brand Wire Shelving

BC-D-METROSET-5

Do you ever wish you could easily move or roll your Metro shelving from place to place? Maybe you are using it in a kitchen or the food industry and are working at a table it would be easier to move the wire racking near you and move it back when finished. At Buy Casters we have a excellent high quality and easy to install solution. The  BC-D-METROSET-5 is a set of 4 swivel grip ring stem casters with bumper guards to help protect other equipment and carts when moving the shelf around. The set includes 2 regular swivel casters and 2 locking casters with non marking soft TPR (thermo plastic rubber) rubber wheels with precision bearings. The gray rubber wheel is 5" in diameter and the set of four can handle about 1300lbs and still roll easily. The swivel grip ring stem is a direct fit after removing the inserts and fits a tube that has an inside diameter (I.D.) of .846". The stem is .846 x 2-3/16".

For a safe, reliable and economical way to mobilize your Metro Shelf stop in at buycasters.com and take a look at the metro shelf caster and wheel set, they are in stock and ready to ship out.

Bulk quantity discounts are available. For any questions finding the caster right for you, please call or email us at 1855-WHEEL11 (855-943-3511).