Tips for Using Casters

Time:Aug 21,2025

Silent casters are widely used in furniture, equipment, medical devices, and other scenarios because they reduce noise during movement and enhance the user experience. Mastering the correct usage techniques can not only extend the lifespan of the casters but also maximize their silent effect. The following are the core tips for using silent casters:

  1. Model selection and adaptation: Ensuring silent performance from the source

The silent performance of silent casters is closely related to their material and structural design. When selecting, it is necessary to match the usage scenario: 1. Prioritize materials that are "soft + highly elastic" - The wheel material of silent casters is key. Soft materials such as polyurethane (PU), rubber (especially natural rubber or highly elastic synthetic rubber), and silicone can effectively absorb vibrations and reduce friction noise, suitable for smooth floors like wood and tiles; - Avoid choosing hard plastics (such as PP, PE) or metal wheels, as these materials tend to produce "scraping sounds" when rubbing against the floor and cause greater floor damage. 2. Select specifications based on load capacity - Insufficient load capacity of casters can cause wheel deformation and accelerated wear, leading to abnormal noise. Choose casters with appropriate load capacity according to the total weight of the equipment/furniture (including load), with a recommended reserve of 20%-30% (for example, for a total weight of 100kg, select casters with a load capacity of 120-130kg). 3. Bearing design for quieter operation - Choose casters with built-in ball bearings or roller bearings; well-lubricated bearings can reduce friction noise during wheel rotation; avoid "hard friction" casters without bearings.

  1. Installation standards: Avoid looseness noise 1. Secure firmly to prevent shaking - When installing casters, ensure screws/bolts are tightened and fit closely with the equipment base without any looseness. Loose casters will collide with the base during movement, producing "clanking" noise and causing accelerated wear over time. - If the equipment base is made of wood or plastic, it is recommended to add metal washers to enhance fixing stability and prevent screw loosening. 2. Even force distribution to avoid uneven load - When multiple casters are installed, ensure all casters bear force evenly and make full contact with the ground. If any caster is suspended or overloaded, uneven force during movement will cause tilting and increased friction, generating extra noise. - Adjust caster height (some casters have adjustment functions) or place leveling pads under the base to ensure balanced force.
  2. Daily use: Reduce friction and collisions
  3. Push gently and move lightly, avoid violent dragging - Although silent casters reduce noise, violent dragging (such as sudden forceful pushing/pulling or abrupt stops) causes intense friction between wheels and the floor, producing "harsh sounds" and possibly deforming caster brackets or causing wheels to fall off. - Maintain a steady speed when moving; when encountering obstacles (such as thresholds or carpet edges), lift the equipment edge first to avoid casters rolling hard over obstacles. 2. Avoid rough floors to reduce friction noise - Silent casters perform best on smooth floors (such as tiles and wood floors). If used on rough floors (such as cement or gravel), it is recommended to lay carpets or anti-slip mats to reduce friction noise between wheels and the floor. - Avoid contact with sharp objects (such as nails or glass shards) to prevent wheel scratches or cracks, which affect silent performance and lifespan.
  4. Cleaning and lubrication: Maintain silent performance 1. Regular cleaning to remove foreign objects - Dust, hair, debris, and other foreign objects easily accumulate in caster gaps, increasing friction resistance during wheel rotation and causing noise. It is recommended to clean caster gaps weekly with a brush or vacuum cleaner and wipe the wheel surface monthly with a damp cloth. - If wheels are stained with oil (such as kitchen equipment casters), use a neutral cleaner to wipe, avoiding oil attracting more dust. 2. Timely lubrication to reduce bearing friction - Bearings in casters can develop increased friction and noise due to insufficient lubrication after long-term use. It is recommended to add special lubricants (such as silicone-based grease or lithium-based grease) every 3-6 months. Before lubricating, clean dust from the bearing surface, then apply lubricant into bearing gaps and rotate the wheel to distribute evenly. - Note: Avoid using machine oil or other highly fluid lubricants as they attract dust and cause bearing blockage; rubber wheels should avoid contact with corrosive lubricants (such as some solvent-based oils) to prevent aging.

5. Maintenance and replacement: Timely handling of wear issues 1. Regular inspection and prompt repair - Check weekly for looseness, wheel deformation/cracks, or bearing sticking. If obvious wear is found on the wheel surface (such as unevenness or cracks) or "sticking" or abnormal noises occur during rotation, repair or replacement is needed promptly. - If caster brackets are rusty, sand them and apply anti-rust paint to prevent rust from worsening friction noise. 2. Replace with matching parts, avoid mixing models - When replacing casters, choose silent casters with the same model specifications (load capacity, size, installation method) as the original to avoid looseness or uneven force causing noise again. - Prefer original brand casters or well-reputed silent caster brands (such as Colson, Hamilton) to ensure stable quality. 6. Scenario-based tips: Optimize for different scenarios - Furniture (such as wardrobes, desks): Choose silent casters with brake functions; lock brakes after moving to prevent furniture shaking and noise; wheel diameter is recommended to be above 5cm to reduce high-frequency friction noise from small wheels. - Medical devices (such as carts, beds): Select medical-grade silent casters (antibacterial, easy to clean), regularly disinfect and lubricate to ensure no noise interference in quiet environments like wards. - Office equipment (such as filing cabinets, printer stands): Avoid placing heavy objects on casters; push lightly when moving to prevent internal parts from vibrating and producing extra noise. By following these tips, you can fully leverage the noise reduction advantages of silent casters, extend their lifespan, and make movement quieter and smoother. The core principles are: choose the right model, install correctly, use gently, and maintain regularly.