If you have a dolly, cart, or other materials handling transport vehicle that is out of service, you may not always have to buy an entirely new replacement. In many cases, you can save money and get your vehicle back on the job faster by simply replacing its casters.
Casters are the wheels the fit on the bottom of dollies, carts, and other unpowered transport vehicles. Carts and dollies aren’t terribly complicated devices. Typically, they are composed of just a platform and wheels, or casters. And it’s the casters that do all the moving.
So 9 times out of 10, if your transport cart or dolly has stopped rolling, it’s because there is something wrong with the casters, not the transport tool itself. And that’s good news because replacing casters is as easy as 1-2-3.
Types of Casters
Casters are made in a variety of different materials, each of which has it’s own specific use. Plastic casters are frequently found on low-weight, low-movement vehicles, such as office furniture.
Platforms for moving heavier items, such as furniture dollies, often have full pneumatic wheels for additional support. And casters for vehicles that need to be moved frequently, such as mechanic’s carts, could have rigid molded rubber or even steel wheels.
Casters also attach to their devices differently, depending on how they are used. Some feature a single pole which fits into a socket, while those that will support heavier weights may be attached via bolts or screws.
Replacing Your Casters
Replacing casters is always easier (and more affordable) than replacing an entire cart or dolly. Most vehicles have casters that are designed to be interchangeable. That’s why they can be easily removed and replaced.
When replacing casters, it’s always important to get exactly the same type of caster as the others that already are on the vehicle. If you have three of one type of caster and one of another, it’s highly likely that your platform isn’t going to roll properly. It could even be imbalanced, which could present a safety hazard.
Reordering casters is simple. At Bahrns.com, we have a wide variety of casters of every style, type, and material. Simply go online, find the replacement casters you need and we can get them to you as quickly as possible so you can minimize equipment down time.
Helpful Hint: When ordering replacement casters, it’s usually a good idea to get more than one. That way you will always have backups when you need them and won’t have to wait for replacement casters to be delivered in the future.