Purchasing the best casters for your needs can be a tough job. Additionally, you have to install them properly to minimize safety hazards and prevent wheel problems. By following these three tips on caster wheel placement and installation, you can ensure your casters function at the highest level for the longest time.

Tip #1: Choosing the Right Caster Configuration

Before starting the caster placement process, it’s vital to know where to place the caster wheels. Different caster-mounted equipment requires different caster configurations. Determining the correct setup will help avoid many problems down the road.

Our first tip for placing casters is to determine the optimal configuration. These are the four basic caster-mounting options:

• Four Swivel (Corner Mount). This is the most common configuration. It allows for movement in any direction: forward, backward, diagonally, and sideways. With four swivel casters at the corners, you can safely and effortlessly maneuver in tight work zones to load vans, trucks, and other vehicles.
• Two Swivel, Two Rigid (Corner Mount). Use this configuration if you need a cart to go straight for long distances. With two swivel casters in the back corners and two rigid casters in the front, you can easily roll down hallways and aisles without sliding side-to-side. This setup is also excellent for installing a wheel brake.
• Four Swivel, Two Rigid (Corner and Side Mount). This is your best option for heavy loads, rough terrain, and maximum rollability. Four swivel casters in the corners and two rigid casters on the side allow you to transport large loads over bumps and cracks with little effort.
• Two Swivel, Two Rigid (Side Mount). This setup has four caster wheels: two swivel casters and two rigid casters on the sides in a diamond pattern. With this configuration, you get a good balance of maneuverability and rollability. You can transport lighter loads over bumps and grooves relatively straight for a long distance.

Choosing the proper configuration depends on your specific needs. For example, bellman carts in a hotel should have the two-swivel-two-rigid caster layout to effortlessly navigate down corridors and through doorways. Before you place the casters, determine the best configuration for you.

Tip #2: Installing the Caster Wheels

Once you choose the right caster-mount configuration, you’re ready for caster wheel placement! Correctly installing the casters is critical to ensure your casters function at the highest level for as long as possible. Take your time and do it thoroughly.

Follow these six easy steps when you install your casters:

1. Surface and Structure Preparation: Inspect the surfaces and structure to confirm you can add on caster wheels. You’ll want the surface to be flat, and it should have solid corners or sides to support the strain on the casters. Preparation will look different depending on the desired configuration.
2. Hole Demarcation: Position the top plate onto the flat surface precisely where you want the wheel to be. Mark each hole position with a pencil, double-checking to ensure they are symmetrical. These marks are where you’ll attach the caster wheels.
3. Pilot Hole Drilling: Drill pilot holes for each wheel position so that the bolts screw in easily.
4. Caster Installation: Once you complete the previous steps, it’s time to install the casters. Put the wheels in the proper position and screw them in.
5. Maneuverability Check: After installing the casters, you’ll want to test them out. See how they roll across rough surfaces, navigate tight spaces, and carry different-sized loads.

Tip #3: Preventing Caster Problems in the Future

Once you determine the best configuration and install the caster wheels properly, you’ll want to ensure they last as long as possible. If you don’t take good care of your casters, it can result in low productivity and safety hazards. Follow the guidelines below to make the most of your caster wheel placement and avoid future problems.

Loading Casters Correctly

The best way to avoid caster failure is to pay attention to load management. Casters can break if you don’t load them correctly. Two all-too-common practices that quickly wear out casters include:

1. Overloading
2. Uneven loading

Capacity overload occurs when heavy loads exceed what the casters can hold. Uneven loading is what it sounds like: distributing the load unevenly and putting too much strain on one or more caster wheels. These factors contribute to worn-out, overworked casters that fail sooner than they should.

To avoid overloading and uneven loading, check the caster weight capacity. Make sure you distribute loads evenly and don’t exceed the amount that three casters can hold.

Inspecting the Caster Mechanics

In some cases, caster problems may result from mechanical issues. If any part of a caster wheel is damaged or stops working correctly, it can impair the entire structure. You could face caster problems down the road with mechanical issues like these:

• Swivel offset imbalance
• Incorrect bearings
• Top plate damage
• Brinelling
• Rivet failure

Inspect the casters to make sure everything works right mechanically. This will prevent significant issues in the future. If you’re unsure how to do this, get help from highly trained professionals at a caster wheels company.

Avoiding Harmful Environments

Environmental factors often play a role in damaging your casters. Depending on where you live and work, your caster wheels could wear out quickly from natural causes. Several environmental aspects that can negatively affect your casters include:

• Extreme temperatures
• Excessive rain, water, and mud
• Harsh terrain

To ensure your casters last a long time and function well, pay attention to the environment. For example, you can buy temperature-resistant wheels that don’t rust or corrode from prolonged water exposure. You should also choose casters that are highly durable and include shock absorbers.

Get Top-Quality Casters and Caster Wheel Services Today!

At Caster Central, we offer a wide variety of top-quality caster wheels to match your everyday needs. Our experienced professionals can help you choose the casters that suit your needs, determine the best configuration, and install them for optimum results.

Have questions about caster wheel placement? Want to know the proper way of removing caster wheels?

At Caster Central, we’re here to help! Feel free to reach out online or call us today at (800) 445-4082.