| WHEEL AND CASTER SELECTION |
WHICH ONE AND WHY?
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- Our smallest caster has a 2" diameter wheel
- Our lightest carries loads of 22lbs
- Our largest has two 16" diameter wheels
- Our heaviest carries 22,000lbs loads
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| There are many questions to consider when choosing a caster? |
| CAPACITY: How much will it carry? Will there be shock loads? |
| ROBUSTNESS: What is the condition of the running surface? How often is the caster in operation? |
| TOWABILITY: Will the caster be towed and if so at what speed? Must the load move in all directions? |
| ROLLABILITY: How easily must the load be moved and does the floor need protection? |
| WHEEL TYPE: Is the wheel noise likely to be a problem? Is the wheel in danger from a harsh environment? |
| HEIGHT: Do height restrictions apply? |
| MOUNTING: How must a caster/s be mounted and is the mounting strong enough? |
| PRICE: Would a cheaper model caster be just as effective in the given situation? |
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ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
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Load Capacities
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Our load capacities are based upon average, not 'ideal' working conditions. Capacities based upon 'ideal' conditions look impressive but seldom actually exist in practice. Our casters are tested on a concrete floor free of door sills, breaks, rails, etc.
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Rolling Resistance
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The ease of moving a piece of equipment is determined by the resistance of the wheels to rolling. Rolling resistance is described as 'that effort required to move equipment from rest to keep it moving'. The easiest rolling is achieved by HARD TYRED WHEELS on a hard smooth surface. However, if the wheels must overcome obstacles to rest, then the effort required includes the force needed to lift the wheels over obstructions.
RESILIENT TYRED WHEELS roll over these obstructions.
BEARING WHEELS make it easier.
LARGER WHEELS make it even easier.
With so many variations to consider, the only realistic measurement of rolling resistance is actual site testing.
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Floor Protection
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Wheels are usually much cheaper to replace than the floors they run on. CAST IRON WHEELS can damage concrete, especially if regularly rolled over the same area. NYLON WHEELS are a good compromise and long lasting. RUBBER TYRED WHEELS give good protection, but are often unable to carry the higher loads required of modern equipment. POLYURETHANE TYRED WHEELS will not damage or mark floors and carry high loads.
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Noise
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CAST IRON WHEELS and NYLON WHEELS can often be noisy in operation. In areas where low noise levels are important, RUBBER or POLYURETHANE TYRED WHEELS are the best choice.
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| CASTERS FOR POWERED TOWING |
| RICHMOND HAS A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS SUITABLE FOR POWER TOWING APPLICATIONS AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 16KM/HR |
THE CASTERS THAT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR POWERED TOWING INCLUDE:
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- Forged Head Series
- 500 Series
- 1000 Series
- High Performance Series
- Extra High Performance Series
- Towmaster
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| Capacities are quoted as average for these casters and are suitable for towing at speeds not exceeding 8km/hr (Intermittent Use). |
| For speeds of 7 MPH reduce listed average capacity by 25% |
| For speeds of 10 MPH reduce listed average capacity by 50% |
The tested methods Richmond uses is an adaptation of European norm pr EN12533, which involve the product being moved under load, over calibrated obstruction, for a set period. |
1. LOADING
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Test samples are loaded as per catalogue
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2. OBSTRUCTIONS
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Steel rod 2.5% of wheel diameter for polyurethane tyres
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Steel rod 5% of wheel diameter for other tyred models
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3. OBSTRUCTION SPACING
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3 feet apart for 4 mph
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5 feet apart for 7 mph
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10 feet apart for 10 mph
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4. CYCLE LENGTH
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3 minutes and 1 minute at rest
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5. CYCLE NUMBER
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1500
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6. RESULTS
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Product should exhibit no deterioration as a result of the test
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7. EXCEPTIONS
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Naturally, many applications lie outside these test criteria and we are ready to discuss any requirements, (Temperature, Humidity, Duty Cycle, Rest Under Load and Impact) all have to be considered.
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