5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Casters
Caster wheels can become severely damaged or worn when exposed to harsh environments, including heavy loads, hot and cold temperatures, salt spray, chemicals, and more. As such, you may notice that your equipment isn’t performing as well as it used to. This is where it will come in handy to know just when your caster needs replacing. In this blog post, we share five signs when it's time to replace your casters.
Damage to the Wheels and Caster
This is an easy way to identify if it’s time to have your casters replaced. Apart from misuse, there are plenty of other ways in which the caster can get damaged. Here are a few things you need to look out for if you want to protect your caster during use:
● Overloading your equipment can reduce life and cause damage to your unit
● Look out for various objects that may hit the wheel, this includes strings that may get stuck; this may result in tire wear
● Fastening the caster loosely may further result in damage, making the wheel move in unusual ways
Corrosion to Caster Housing or Its Working Parts
This particular problem can happen in various environments but can happen more often if you work somewhere with chemical exposure or in high humidity areas. Such places are capable of wearing down a finish and may even go through the base metals.
If this is the case, you’ll need to monitor your caster’s condition so you can quickly act as soon as you see signs of corrosion. For casters that are designed for use in medical facilities, corrosion can be easy to address; simply clean them at a high-temperature to kill off germs and other harmful materials.
A Deformed or Misshapen Caster Wheel
No matter how you use your equipment or machinery, if the wheel is crooked or unevenly shaped, you can be sure that it’s due for a replacement. These problems are often seen inside distribution centers and warehouses, where heavy lifting can easily dent or damage caster wheels. As a result, such deformities won’t just affect your wheel’s maneuverability but also how much it can carry.
Noise Problems
If your casters are making loud noises every time they move, then it could be a clear sign that they need to be replaced. This problem will often have several causes ranging from failure of the ball bearings to wheels that are worn out to the use of the incorrect caster wheels for a particular job. To avoid noise issues in the future, it’s imperative to choose the correct caster wheel for the activity it will be used for, the floor surface, the temperature range, and the environment it is used in.
Hard to Maneuver
Has your cart or trolley become impossible to push? This is another undeniable sign that you need to replace the casters you’re using. While you can always try to apply grease to see if it will go back to normal, a replacement caster is necessary if this fails. There are various causes behind a back-breaking cart that won’t budge, including bearing failure, flat spots on the wheels, or lack of lubrication.
Why Replace Your Casters?
More than anything, you need to replace damaged caster wheels for better work output. A working and maintained caster wheel will be able to help your equipment move and function at its best. You’ll also get your work done faster and more effectively; transporting materials, going from one place to another, and performing daily tasks can be done with ease.
However, there’s no sense in buying new casters just for the sake of getting them—avoid purchasing low-quality casters that will only need replacing in a short time. Be sure to choose the right caster for the job you intend to do. In addition, it’s important to keep your eyes peeled for clues that may give away the signs discussed above.
Oftentimes, they will let you know when you should consider getting replacements before a bigger problem starts. However, if you do find yourself in need of a replacement, you can trust LINCO to provide you with the best caster wheels in the market. Our products include heavy-duty caster wheels and industrial wheels fit for all kinds of commercial and industrial applications.