The right caster wheel tread selection can be the difference between a smooth operation and one burdened with problems. How do you choose one that suits your needs?
Let’s look at the different types of caster wheel treads available on the market, what they are used for, and how to determine which is suitable for your project.
Soft Rubber
Soft rubber caster wheels are perfect for indoor use, especially on wooden or tiled floors. This type of wheel is easy to roll and offers excellent shock absorption, reducing the risk of damage to your equipment.
While they’re less durable than other materials, soft rubber casters provide a comfortable ride and allow your equipment to navigate uneven terrain.
The LINCO Heavy Duty Casters are excellent soft rubber casters that leave no marks and offer a smooth, quiet ride.
Soft rubber caster wheels are also non-marking, making them the ideal choice for clean environments like hospitals and schools.
Hard Rubber
If you’re looking for more durable and long-lasting caster wheels than soft rubber, hard rubber caster wheels should be on your list. Hard rubber wheels have excellent weight capacity, making them ideal for transporting heavy equipment.
LINCO’s 3″ Black TPR Wheels Rubber is a versatile and long-lasting hard rubber wheel for industrial use. It’s perfect for outdoor applications, as it provides a quiet, grippy ride that won’t leave any marks on the ground.
Unlike soft rubber caster wheels, hard rubber wheels offer an increased level of traction and are suitable for use in outdoor areas.
Hard rubber caster wheels work well on various surfaces, including concrete and asphalt. This type of caster wheel is also resistant to chemicals and oils, making it perfect for industrial environments.
Plastic
Plastic caster wheels are the best for lighter applications or medium-weight capacity. These wheels do not work well on uneven surfaces, so they are best used in indoor applications.
Plastic caster wheels are affordable and are easy to clean when exposed to debris, oils, or other harmful substances. However, these wheels are not chemical resistant and have a lower temperature capacity.
The LINCO 5″ Heavy Duty Swivel Caster may be made of plastic, but its ability to be mounted on aluminum structural framings, modular carts, and workstations makes it an excellent option for various indoor applications.
Because of their lightweight construction, plastic caster wheels are also an excellent option for furniture and other easy-to-move items.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane caster wheels are most useful on equipment that carries sensitive products, such as electronics or food.
The Colson Polyurethane Rigid Caster is the best choice for this type of caster wheel, as it offers minimal vibration and noise. The polyurethane construction allows you to move your equipment without worrying about damaging it on uneven surfaces.
Polyurethane threaded caster wheels provide excellent shock absorption and can help reduce wear and tear on your equipment. These caster wheels are ideally suited for indoor applications and have a good weight capacity.
If you want to use these types of caster wheels outdoors, however, look for polyurethane caster wheels with treads that are specifically designed for outdoor terrain.
Non-marking
If you require gentle caster wheels on floors, non-marking caster wheels are the perfect option. These caster wheels are suitable for environments such as hospitals or schools, where floors must remain pristine.
Non-marking caster wheels are made from soft materials designed to prevent scratches, damage, or marks on floors. Their main difference from soft rubber casters is that they are designed to repel dirt and dust, so they remain cleaner for longer.
The LINCO 4″ Swivel Casters are perfect for this type of application as they are made of a soft yet durable rubber material that won’t mark your floors.
Mold-on Caster
Mold-on caster wheels are the most durable and long-lasting type of caster wheel. They are made by molding a solid wheel onto a metal core. Mold-on caster wheels are ideal for heavy-duty equipment and industrial carts on rough surfaces.
Mold-on casters like the Caster Connection Vintage Black Cast Iron handle extreme weight loads and are resistant to water and chemicals. For heavy-duty applications, these are the best caster wheel choice.
High-quality Casters From LINCO
No matter what type of caster wheel you’re looking for, LINCO has the perfect option for your needs.
If you need help deciding which caster is right for your use case or want more information about our product range, contact us today. Let’s find the best caster wheel tread for your business today!