Finding the Right Caster Before You Buy

September 22, 2020

Purchasing casters for the first time can be very overwhelming. There's many types of casters with all sorts of wheels, colors, rig types, and sizes. How do you know exactly which to spend your money on?

Below is a helpful guide for figuring out which caster is right for you!

What is your goal / project?

First, figure out your end goal. 

What are you trying to do with the casters? Are you making a cart capable of carrying heavy sheet metal? Are you making your refrigerator mobile for cleaning behind it? Knowing what you want to do, and how often, helps narrow down what caster capabilities you need to accommodate.

The next step is to visualize how the caster will be attached. Is there room for a plate to be mounted, or is there only enough to insert a stem?

Note, if you have the room for a plate caster, always go with a plate caster. Plates give you more capacity, and allow the option of a rigid (non-swivel) caster. 

How much capacity do you need?

How heavy is the load that will bear down on the casters? Different wheel materials and rig types are better able to take the weight, and as such are rated for higher capacities.

Keep in mind that individual caster capacity is multiplied: if you have 4 casters rated for 500 pounds, their combined might is up to 2000 pounds if the weight is distributed evenly. This effect is limited by how well you can distribute the weight, however. We recommend getting casters with higher capacity over increasing the number of casters more than 4 or 6 casters.

Next, consider how long the casters will endure the weight consistently. Some wheel materials will develop flat spots if sitting still and bearing constant weight for extended periods of time. This makes the casters roll with far more difficulty and unpleasantness. Hard wheeled casters like steel or phenolic are recommended for these types of heavy, stationary weights because they won't flat spot.

As a rule of thumb, it's recommended to pick casters that are rated to hold the weight you need and then some. It's better to have more capacity than is needed than not enough!

What Environment Will Casters Be Used In?

The more you know about your environment, the better off you are in narrowing down casters that are right for you. 

One thing to consider is what kind of environments they will need to be able to endure. Certain conditions are harsh on casters, decreasing their life spans, capacities, or efficiency. Harsh environments can include high heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and chemical exposure. Tougher casters and wheels that can handle these environments won't take as much damage from these conditions. Despite often having a higher price tag, having the right casters will save you money in the long run as they will be more efficient and need to be replaced less often.

Is your area right on space? Depending on how much room the casters have to move, the configuration of the casters may be essential. (Click here to read our article on caster configuration ideas!)

Another important aspect of the environment is the floor that the casters will roll on.

• Is the floor smooth or rough?
• Is your floor full of large debris or metal shavings that would damage a wheel? 
• Does your floor need protecting from scrapes or marks?

Needs, Wants and Budget

With so many different types of casters, there are sometimes multiple casters that would work for your application. Sometimes, there is no right answer because there are multiple answers! To narrow down your choice, consider your wants as well as the price.

Given a few different casters that could work, it can just come out to personal preference and what you want. Picking a caster in a preferred color or one of several similar materials can be useful, and if your situation allows it, go for it!

Probably more importantly, consider your budget. Getting the most out of your investment is always important, and it depends on your application. Does it make more sense to purchase cheaper casters more often, or more expensive options less frequently? Would changing out casters cost your organization more money than purchasing better casters? 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to picking out a caster for your situation, try to figure out what you need from the caster. Is it more important to have a cushioned ride or carry more capacity? Are there harsh chemicals the caster needs to be able to endure? Unfortunately, there is no end-all be-all caster perfect for all situations, so we are forced to pick.

Want some help picking out a caster? Have questions about what solutions are right for you? Contact our team or give us a call at 800-345-0425 (Mon-Fri 7:00am - 4:30pm CST).

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