Wheeling Through Seasons: The Castors And Wheels Best Suited For Winter

For some people, winter may be the most beautiful season of the year, but for businesses striving to maintain high levels of productivity, freezing temperatures, ice, and snow can be a nightmare. These conditions can significantly affect the performance of castors and wheels, making it more difficult for workers to move goods quickly or to keep control of trolleys, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. Some castor wheels, however, are specifically designed for use in low-temperature environments, offering superior performance that will protect inventory and assets and boost productivity, whatever the weather delivers.

So, what steps can you take to ensure you choose the right castors and wheels for your workplace this winter?

Understand The Workplace Conditions

When choosing the best castors and wheels for winter, you must appreciate the environmental conditions in which they will operate. Trolleys used outdoors during the winter months or in cold or unheated warehouses, for example, will be subjected to extremely low temperatures, so may need to be fitted with castor wheels designed to withstand the conditions. (Similarly, trolleys used in cold storage at any time of year would also benefit from these wheels.) Understanding how your castor and wheels may be affected by the weather or operating conditions is the first step to overcoming the problems posed by winter.

Identify Your Operational Priorities

When considering whether to change your existing castors, evaluate if they are safe, mobile, and resilient in winter, as the right castors can significantly increase your business’s productivity in challenging weather. In cold environments, mobility is a priority: castors that offer a low starting and rolling resistance can reduce fatigue for workers when transporting heavy items or loaded trolleys: the easier it is to get the wheels turning and keep loads rolling across icy floors or through snow, the less strenuous the effort will be for workers. Also, selecting castors built for winter traction and durability provides better control and manoeuvrability, helping you to maintain productivity and reduce the risk of accidents.

Choose The Most Suitable Material

Selecting the best materials for your castor wheels is crucial for safe and high performance in wintry conditions, as some materials will reduce traction, making it harder for operatives to move equipment safely. Three materials – rubber, resin, and polyurethane – are ideal choices:

1. Rubber offers exceptional elasticity, providing good impact absorption and traction on icy, uneven floors. It is a durable option that is extremely resistant to cold temperatures and will perform well in winter.
2. Resin castors retain tensile strength in cold temperatures (as low as -49°C) to support heavy loads while resisting snow and ice accumulation between the wheels.
3. Polyurethane castor wheels offer abrasion protection and tear resistance when exposed to ice and snow, de-icing grit, or biting winds. It also has excellent load-bearing capacity, a low roll resistance, and can operate in low temperatures.

Need New Castors For Winter? Contact Us Today

If your business needs new castors and wheels for the winter weather, please contact Rolltek International for professional help and advice.