Since its establishment in 1988, Huanqiu Caster has been confident in its product quality and expertise. Customers frequently ask us questions about casters, so today we will address these common questions and clarify any doubts.

01. How is the surface of the caster bracket treated?

There are two main bracket colors on the market: silver and black. Silver brackets are usually electroplated with zinc or chromium, giving them a shiny silver finish. Black brackets are generally produced using electrophoresis. Higher-end casters may use powder coating, with colors customizable to customer needs, but at a higher price. Whether electroplating, electrophoresis, or powder coating, the purpose is the same: to prevent rust.

02. What are the different braking methods for casters?

Caster braking methods can be categorized into three types based on function: wheel brake, directional lock, and dual brake.

- Wheel brake: This is easy to understand. A device is installed on the wheel's axle or wheel surface, allowing manual or foot-operated locking of the wheel, but still allowing for steering.

- Directional lock: This is a function in swivel casters, allowing them to become directional casters, fixing their direction and preventing them from turning randomly.

- Dual brake: This is the most powerful type, locking both the wheel to prevent movement and the swivel plate to prevent rotation, offering comprehensive functionality.

03. Do iron core wheels and cast iron wheels have stronger load-bearing capacity?

Not necessarily. Although iron core and cast iron wheels appear sturdy, current technology is advanced, and injection-molded wheels have equally impressive load-bearing capacity, comparable to iron core and cast iron wheels.

04. Are rubber wheels always softer than polyurethane wheels?

Not necessarily! The hardness of the material can be adjusted according to needs. Some manufacturers' rubber wheels are even harder than nylon wheels. Rubber casters come in hard and soft rubber; without specific requirements, soft rubber casters are generally provided.

05. Are dual bearings more stable and single bearings faster?

Dual bearings are typically used in high-end products, offering superior stability, quieter operation, and load-bearing capacity compared to single bearings. Single bearings are a simplified version of dual bearings, with slightly inferior performance but a more affordable price.

06. How are caster sizes calculated?

When purchasing casters, the size is often mentioned in inches, not the commonly used "cun" (Chinese inch). The conversion is simple: divide the inch size by 25 to get the "cun" size. For example, a 50-inch diameter caster is 2 cun.

07. What factors affect caster maneuverability?

Many factors affect caster maneuverability, including:

- Wheel size: Larger diameter wheels are more maneuverable and easier to push.

- Caster bracket offset: A larger caster bracket offset results in greater maneuverability but reduced load capacity.

- Wheel material: On flat surfaces, hard material wheels are more maneuverable; on uneven surfaces, soft wheels are easier to push.

- Wheel surface area: The smaller the contact area between the wheel and the ground, the more maneuverable it is. Many wheels use a curved design to reduce contact area.

- Bearing type: Bearings are generally classified as single ball bearings, double ball bearings, roller bearings, and Torrington bearings. Single and double ball bearings are maneuverable and suitable for quiet environments; roller bearings have high load capacity but lower maneuverability; Torrington bearings are suitable for humid and corrosive environments but have higher resistance and lower maneuverability.

08. What should be noted when installing casters?

When installing casters, note the following:

- Ensure the casters are installed horizontally.

- Swivel casters should have their rotation axis vertical.

- Directional casters should have their two wheels parallel and perpendicular to the frame.

09. When using four casters together, is the load capacity four times that of a single caster?

Not really. When using four casters, the actual safe load is generally based on the sum of three casters. This is because on uneven surfaces, only three casters may be in contact with the ground, bearing the entire weight.

10. What factors should be considered when choosing casters?

When choosing casters, consider the following:

- Ground conditions: Casters are generally suitable for flat surfaces. If the ground is uneven or contains debris or metal shavings, harder casters such as iron or nylon wheels should be chosen.

- Site environment: If corrosive substances such as acids or alkalis are present, or if ground conditions are special, polyurethane casters are generally recommended. If the temperature is above 60 degrees Celsius, high-temperature casters or iron wheels should be used. In environments below -30 degrees Celsius, rubber wheels are a better choice.

- Surrounding environment: For low-noise environments such as offices, hospitals, floors, quiet workshops, or shopping mall transportation corridors, softer, more elastic polyurethane, artificial rubber, or similar materials are recommended.

These are some frequently asked questions about casters. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment! We will provide professional answers.