Mastering The Art Of Selecting High Temperature Castors

The strength and composition of your castor wheels directly impacts performance. For lower heat applications, polyurethane wheels usually suffice in temperatures up to 80°C. However, for bakery oven applications, you need ultra heat-resistant materials like:

Frictional wheel bearings and castor swivel components require proper lubrication, but standard greases can quickly melt away in hot environments. Thus, you must choose a special high-temperature lubricant based on your exact application.

In addition to wheels, the internal castor components also experience thermal stress in industrial uses. Standard castor bearings tolerate up to 150°C typically, while stainless steel, bronze sleeves, and similar robust materials are better for heavy loads in hot zones exceeding 315°C, such as industrial kilns.

Swivel function can also suffers in high temperature environments, and maintenance-free types often fail permanently when lubricant drips out from heat exposure. To counteract this risk, sturdy kingpin swivels with toughened internal parts can withstand over 120°C in most cases. The kingpin design also enables easy relubrication as required to maintain swivel motion.

Castors built for heat applications carry specific duty cycle ratings. This classification describes the safe operating temperatures for long-term or short-term use. For example, a castor may handle 400°C for brief moments but max out at a continuous 300°C rating for prolonged heat exposure. Respecting these thresholds prevents damage, so check the ratings carefully before finalising any high-temperature castor selection.