When choosing small spring-loaded casters, you should look for the initial force of 250 pounds or less. This pre-load limits the deflection of the casters. An exemplary spring configuration will also reduce noise during production. Whether you choose a caster with a swivel function or a friction-free one, selecting one with a low initial pre-load is essential.
Limitations of spring-loaded casters
While a small spring-loaded caster may appear to have the best performance, they have some limitations. One of the most significant issues is the environment. Casters exposed to moisture and wetness may become corroded, reducing the strength of the caster’s components and increasing its risk of failure. Other factors that affect the performance of a small spring-loaded caster include surface characteristics and the presence of debris and contaminants.
When choosing a small spring-loaded caster, ensure you know how much weight it can support. Too much weight on a spring can cause it to deflect too far, extending the impact of a shock. Too little spring will cause excessive vibration. A spring constant of around five to ten pounds is sufficient for most applications. It would be best to avoid casters with a spring constant lower than this.
Maximum load restriction of spring-loaded casters
Spring-loaded small casters can be classified into three categories. Light duty casters are designed for a maximum load of 500 pounds, medium duty casters are designed for a load between 501 and 2,000 pounds, and heavy-duty casters handle loads over 2,000 pounds. Some casters feature multiple load capacities, and some have a combination of both. In any case, the best choice for your needs will depend on the type of loading you’ll be placing on them.
While general-purpose casters can withstand some heat, they cannot withstand extreme temperatures. High temperatures can cause their tread to fail. Common resilient tread materials have functional temperature limits of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. High-temperature casters have unique materials and lubricants that will ensure your casters’ continued operation, even in extreme temperatures. They may also come with sleeve bearings that do not require lubrication.
Impact of environmental conditions on the performance of spring-loaded casters
In this study, we evaluated the performance of a series of small spring-loaded casters under simulated outdoor environments and compared them to failure rates observed in the field. Our results indicated that the failure rates observed in outdoor environments are higher than in standard tests. This is likely because many factors we consider in fatigue tests are not replicated in LREs. For example, high humidity and rough surfaces accelerate the aging process of the casters.
In addition, the springs used in small spring-loaded casters should be pre-loaded to a certain degree. For example, it would take about 2000 pounds of force to move one inch without a pre-load. By contrast, pre-loaded springs have less resistance and thus won’t restrict the caster’s movement. However, spring pre-load may sometimes be insufficient, and excessive pre-load may stress the damper.
Cost of spring-loaded casters
When buying a set of spring-loaded casters, keep in mind to check the deflection of the caster springs. These are directly related to the slope of the floor. A high deflection will be equivalent to no spring, while a low deflection will extend the shock and cause excess vibration. The following factors should be considered when selecting spring-loaded casters:
Cost: Spring-loaded casters are the most expensive type of small casters. However, the benefits outweigh the cost. They are highly efficient and can reduce moving equipment’s labor and material costs. Moreover, they provide a smooth ride when moving sensitive equipment. If your payload is exposed, it can be damaged by a sudden shock. Using small spring-loaded casters can reduce the shock.
Size and weight capacity: While spring-loaded casters have a minimum yielding ability, these casters are available in a variety of styles and sizes. You can choose from models with a maximum weight load capacity of 100 pounds. If you need more stability for your work area, the DC-3 spring-loaded caster is an excellent choice. Its plate size is 2″ by 5-1/8,” and bolt spacing is 1-1/4″ by 3-inches.
