Casters and Wheels

There are two basic types of casters: rigid and swivel. Rigid casters feature wheels that are fixed in place and move only in one direction, while swivel casters have rotating wheels.

Caster yoke

The wheel castor yoke is the part of a swivel caster or rigid caster that holds the wheel in place. It’s a piece of metal with ball bearings that allows the wheel to swivel.

Casters can be made from a variety of materials depending on their application, workplace or environment. These include steel, aluminum and plastic.

Understanding Wheel Casters: Types, Functions, and Applications

Hard rubber casters are used in heavy-duty applications that require a hard and durable wheel that can withstand shock loads. They also have a high load capacity and are resistant to chemicals, oils, grease, solvents and cleaning agents.

Synthetic casters, on the other hand, are typically lighter in weight and offer good rolling ability with easy start-up. They’re also durable and resist abrasions,

Wheel Edges

The wheel edge is an important feature of a caster that helps prevent floor damage and noise while absorbing shocks. The edge is usually made from neoprene rubber.

Caster Flutter

Caster flutter is an oscillation or shimmy of the caster, often causing an unsteady ride for the operator. This can occur naturally at moderate speeds, or it can be caused by excessive set back. This can occur in a wide range of vehicles, including cars and trucks. Adding or adjusting the trailing distance between the caster wheel axle and the steering axis may alleviate this problem.