The Importance of Heavy Duty Pneumatic Casters

When the term “caster wheel” is mentioned, we often think of items made of solid materials like polyurethane, steel, or iron. The problem with these types of casters is that they are not ideal for on-pavement and off-road applications, have minimal to no shock absorption, and can easily cause floor damage.

Fortunately, experts have found a way to address these issues by using a different type of caster. This is where pneumatic casters come in.

What Are Pneumatic Casters?

Heavy duty pneumatic casters are not the same as standard caster wheels. These wheels are made of rubber and contain foam or air inside that allows them to fit snugly against their metal hubs once inflated.

Pneumatic casters are available in various designs, sizes, and capabilities to meet different industrial needs. They are not only commonly used during heavy duty applications but in light duty industries as well.

These pneumatic tires offer industries a softer and smoother alternative to most caster wheels today. The wheels are capable of cushioning heavy loads while being able to roll over obstructions easily.

Compared to standard casters, pneumatic casters are known for having a longer lifespan while requiring less maintenance to operate effectively. Their high shock absorption capability makes them ideal for use outdoors, particularly for taking on uneven or rough terrain.

There are also semi-pneumatic tires that can appear similar to a regular pneumatic wheel on the outside but are not the same inside. These semi-pneumatic designs have a dense, molded rubber that provides reduced elasticity and less pressure compared to standard pneumatic tires.

Benefits of Pneumatic Wheels for Industrial Use

Pneumatic casters provide several unique benefits when used for industrial applications. This is largely due to their ability to absorb shock as well as their cushion load capability even on rough terrain.

Using pneumatic wheels instead of the standard, solid tires has a huge advantage, particularly when moving fragile loads on uneven surfaces. These items can easily be damaged when used with regular tires, which isn’t a problem with the shock absorbency of heavy duty pneumatic casters.

Besides the shock absorbing and soft rubber tread traits of pneumatic wheels, they are also very quiet while being used. This is beneficial to workers since operators and those nearby don’t have to deal with loud noises while at work. Pneumatic casters are also smooth enough to not damage the flooring.

With that said, the primary advantages of pneumatic wheels are:

●Having the ability to move large loads easily

●Being capable of absorbing shock better than solid wheels

●Can be used on paved roads or off-road if necessary

●Produces minimal noise compared to steel or iron casters

Considerations When Purchasing Heavy Duty Pneumatic Casters

Since pneumatic casters are softer and have a bigger footprint compared to the other options for industrial applications, they tend to generate more friction with various surfaces. This results in more initial force required when moving the load at first and when you need to maneuver the tray around corners.

The large footprint of pneumatic casters can also make its wheels harder to swivel while the caster itself will need a longer swivel lead when turning. The wheels of this type of caster are also lighter, which increases the chance of wheels fluttering. Fortunately, operators can negate this by increasing their swivel lead.

All pneumatic casters are filled with air and thus have to be checked every now and then. Insufficient air or outright flat pneumatic wheels can lead to serious problems when transporting heavy loads.

One solution you can apply to prevent this is to fill the pneumatic wheels with polyurethane foam instead of air. Replacing the air with foam can solve the problem of dealing with flat wheels but it also reduces the cushioning ability of the pneumatic tires.

Conclusion

Heavy duty pneumatic casters offer numerous advantages over regular, solid casters that are used in various industries. The main advantages of this type of caster are its high shock absorbency, improved load cushioning, and enhanced ability to be used on rough or uneven surfaces.

If you’re looking for quality heavy duty pneumatic casters, you can check out our selection today. Our LINCO pneumatic swivel casters are capable of carrying as much as 500lbs of load. They also come in various styles and sizes to meet your unique industrial needs.

All of our LINCO heavy duty pneumatic casters are coated with zinc that stops moisture from penetrating its metallic parts and thus preventing rust.

Check out our selection of high-quality pneumatic casters for heavy duty industrial applications today! Please reach out and contact us if you have questions about casters.