When you hear the word “caster”, what comes to mind? Do you imagine a wheel that can spin and moves around easily as you push a large object? That is the commonly used swivel caster wheel. While it is a very common variation of caster, there is also another variety that may be more suited to your needs: the rigid type. Here are some benefits to using a rigid caster instead of the swivel type.
Safety
One of the first and most important benefits of a rigid caster wheel is safety. A rigid caster can more safely maneuver an item in a straight line. Its sturdy construction and lack of full range of movement prevent tipping or loss of control.
Imagine trying to move a cumbersome load down a ramp and your caster wheels suddenly start turning to the right or left. This can lead to a loss of control and cause injury to your product or others. The safe choice when moving items in a straight line is clearly rigid caster wheels.
Savings
Another benefit to rigid caster wheels is that they are often cheaper than their swivel counterparts. Since the manufacturing of them is more straightforward and uses fewer materials, those savings can be passed on directly to you, the consumer. That decrease in expense occurs when you make your initial purchase of rigid caster wheels and also during any needed repairs or replacement.
Variety
There are a variety of items on which you will want to affix rigid caster wheels.
- Shop Cart: There can be many shelves and drawers on a shop cart, so they can get quite heavy. Rigid caster wheels are your best bet for any shop carts you need to be able to move.
- Furniture Dolly: Since furniture dollies don’t have handles to hold, they need caster wheels that can quickly and easily move forward in a straight path.
- Platform Truck: The low deck on a platform truck means that you will need wheels that have minimum friction or drag. You don’t want to have to struggle to make the truck begin to roll.
As you can see, you do not have to be limited in your choice of caster wheels. While many may choose swivel wheels for their range of movement, rigid ones can be a better alternative depending on your needs. When you want safety, savings and an assortment of applications, a rigid caster wheel is the most beneficial choice.
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