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Transport Product Guide

Wheels and castors

Are you just buying a couple of castors? Nothing could be easier. The best-case scenario: go online, enter castors in the search field, find the ones you need and order them. Your delivery arrives, you screw the castors on, and the job is done.

That might work out. If not, then the worst case has arrived: the casters can't withstand the weight and break, the rolling resistance is too high and nothing can be moved. Or the classic situation occurs: the castor can't event be fitted, because it features the wrong type of mounting.

This is why we check whether the castor fits

We don't want you to order the wrong size or wrong material. This is why we have put togethersome helpful information for you. The questions that customers ask about our wheels and castors formed the basis for this guide. If you need to know something about a specific topic, then simply choose the corresponding section.

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Wheels and castors

A wheel is a wheel.

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And what does this involve? A wheel is made out of a running surface/tyre, rim and wheel bearing. It's that simple.

From the wheel to the castor

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How? By installing the wheel in a housing. Depending on the type of housing, the result is a swivel castor or a fixed castor.

The swivel castors can be rotated 360° by using a ball bearing mounted swivel bearing, ensuring good manoeuvrability. The fixed castors, in contrast, cannot rotate and are fixed in place, and ensure good directional stability.

In most cases, 2 swivel castors and 2 fixed castors are affixed.

Wheel structure

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Wheel

D = wheel Ø

d = axle Ø

n = hub length

B = wheel width

b = tread width

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Swivel castor

1 = Mounting plate

2 = Steering fork

3 = Wheel

4 = Axle material

a = Offset

r = Swivel radius

h = Overall height

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Mounting plate

p = Plate size

l = Hole spacing

d = Hole Ø

Types of wheel stops

Stay and stop.

Our swivel castors come with double stops. But what does this actually mean, and which types of wheel stops are there?

Double stop means that the motion of the wheel and the direction in which the swivel bearing/fork head turns can be blocked. The double stop is easily activated by a step of your foot. The advantage: it offers much better stability compared to wheel stops. A wheel stop only stops the motion of the wheel and a directional stop only stops the swivel bearing from turning.

A distinction is made between two types of wheel stops:

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Forerun stops

  • The locking lever is under the device in the direction of travel
  • Prevention of injuries through protruding lever
  • The locking lever can only be activated by moving the device sideways
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Backlash stops

  • The locking lever is installed against the direction of travel
  • The locking lever can therefore be activated instantly using your foot

Mounting

Screw or plug?

There are six different ways of mounting our castors. Not every one is suitable for every type of wheel or castor, and each features important points to observe.

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Plate-mounted

This is the most frequently used type of mounting. The castor is screwed onto the equipment using a plate attached to the housing. Please note the plate dimensions, the screw hole Ø and the spacing between screw holes.

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Expander
The expander is inserted into a hole in the equipment, or into the end of an installed tube. The screw placed through the bolt hole in the castor splays when the expander is tightened, and can be securely fastened in place.

Important: the expander must fit in the inside tube Ø for the wheel to be securely seated.

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Bolt hole fitting

Please note: bolt hole fitting is only available for swivel castors.

A bolt is inserted through the hole in the back. Please note the plate Ø and the bolt hole Ø.

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Mounting using threaded pin
Please note: threaded pin mounting is only available for swivel castors.

The screw provided is inserted through the bolt hole in the castor housing. Standard threaded pin sizes in this case are M8, M10 and M12. Please note the threaded pin Ø and the length of the threaded pins. They must be suitable for the device.

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Mounting using pins
Please note: pin mounting is only available for swivel castors.

The castor is mounted using pins with a cross hole which is located in the holder integrated in the equipment. The castor is attached to it by fixing a pin or screw through the cross holes in the holder and pin.

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Mounting using a socket pin with ring clamp
This is a typical type of mounting for office chairs. It can be easily fitted without tools.

Please note: the diameter and the length of the socket pin must fit the holder on the equipment or office chair exactly. It's best to make a note of the dimensions of an old castor you have removed.

Wheel bearing

Castors and what they do.

Do you move trolleys, furniture or devices frequently or rarely? Do you move them quickly or slowly? You should answer these questions before deciding on the wheel bearing used with your castors. Find out here which wheel bearing is best suited to your needs.

Plain bearing

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Simple, largely maintenance free bearing. Shock and impact resistant. Suitable for use in damp environments. For low-speed devices (max. 4 km/h) and for short distances.

Roller bearing

Wheels and castors wt$

Sturdy, hardwearing, largely maintenance free bearings. Low bearing friction. Shock and impact resistant. Permanent lubrication. The most frequently used bearings for low-speed devices (max. 4 km/h). Smoother rolling compared to plain bearings.

Precision ball bearing

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For speeds of up to 4 km/h and heavier loads. Low rolling resistance when in use, low roll resistance.

Your choice

The almost perfect castor.

You need wheels or castors, and don't know which ones will suit your requirements exactly? Then we can offer you a few reference points to make the choice easier. One thing first: ideal wheels or castors suitable for universal use and for any purpose don't exist. There are too many interrelated criteria.

The choice of wheel and castor primarily depends on:

  • The load bearing capacity required
  • The floor conditions
  • The frequency of use
  • Environmental factors (temperature, including temperature fluctuations, chemicals, moisture, hygiene requirements)
  • Specific dimensions such as wheel diameter, overall height and hub length/installation length for wheels, or plate sizes and screw hole spacing for castors

Are there specific conditions like this in your area of use? Then please ask us before making an order. We will help you choose the most suitable wheels!

Comfort

In addition to the properties listed, you can also choose the required level of comfort and smoothness:


  • Quiet run (balanced movement)
  • Roll resistance and rolling resistance
  • Manoeuvrability (user friendliness)
  • Shore hardness


You will find explanations for a number of terms here:

Material

The big check list.

Depending on the site and the purpose of use, the material which the wheels and castors are made of plays an important role. The following table shows you how well each of the materials available from us satisfies the most important requirements for your wheels (from + to +++++).

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