Automotive castors being used in a factory to increase efficiency.
T Tracey Williams

Conquer Floor Damage Risk with Automotive Heavy-Duty Castors!

Jan 30, 2025 · industrial castors · industrial trolley wheels

Automotive castors are the workhorses of the automotive industry, allowing heavy loads to be pushed easily and safely around workshops, manufacturing plants, factories, and repair garages. Deployed on carts and trolleys, automotive technicians rely on heavy duty castors to manoeuvre tools, machinery, and even completed vehicles around their facilities. Automotive castors are available in various sizes and materials to accommodate different load capacities and applications, so what do you need to consider?

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What Do They Do?

The main aim of an automotive castor is to reduce the forces needed to get the cart or trolley moving, and to keep it moving. These forces are known as starting resistance and rolling resistance. Starting resistance is the force required to set the wheel in motion from a stationary position. It depends on factors like the load, wheel diameter, tread material, and floor condition.

Rolling resistance is the force needed to keep the wheel moving once it has started. It is influenced by similar factors, including the type of bearings used. By selecting the right materials and design features, such as softer treads to absorb shocks and proper bearings, both starting and rolling resistance can be minimised. This makes it easier to move heavy-duty carts and trolleys, improving efficiency and reducing physical effort.

Which Material?

Heavy duty castors are available in a range of materials. One of the most popular is nylon. Extremely strong, resistant to abrasion, and praised for its durability, nylon has a long-life in even the most demanding environments. Another popular choice is polyurethane. Along with its durability and strength, polyurethane is a celebrated castor automotive for its shock-absorbing qualities. This helps to minimise the starting resistance and rolling resistance and is an excellent noise-reducer. However, the ultimate choice depends upon the application.

Which Type Of Automotive Castor Is Best For Which Application?

Towing typically involves significant starting and rolling resistance, making it a challenging task for industrial wheels. To handle this, a swivel-head castor equipped with a hardened ball race is essential. This design helps distribute the forces involved in towing, reducing stress on the castor and enhancing the wheels' performance and productivity.

What Other Factors Can Enhance Performance?

There are a few basic rules that can prevent your extra heavy-duty castors from feeling too much strain. The first is to observe the 4-mph speed limit recommended by most manufacturers. The purpose of this is to prevent excessive wear on the automotive castors. Too much wear will make any castor struggle to manage the starting and rolling resistances, which reduces efficiency and ultimately leads to the potential failure of the castor. By taking things slowly, you can increase overall productivity by minimising expensive downtime.

Maximum Weight Capacity

All castors have a specified weight capacity. These figures are the result of extensive testing, including the type of loads that will be carried, the type of flooring, and distances travelled. As such, it’s a good idea to select the correct automotive castor and stick to the guidelines. For example, Rolltek offers a range of extra heavy-duty castors available specifically for the automotive industry, so you can guarantee that there will be an ideal castor to suit your application.

What Next?

For help choosing the right heavy-duty castor for your automotive application, take a look at our catalogue today. You'll find a wide range of options designed to meet various needs, ensuring you can select the best castor for optimal performance and durability. Contact us to learn more about how we can help!

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