Mobile Shelving: Choosing the Right Casters for your Wire Shelving Unit
The type of caster you choose is very important when dealing with mobile shelving. The right casters will make moving your shelving unit simple, and safe; choosing the wrong casters could be at best, a huge inconvenience; and at worst create hazardous and unsafe conditions for the person moving the shelving unit.
But how do you make sure you are choosing the correct casters for your unit?
Casters range in size and material based on your specific need. Read the guide below for an explanation of the different casters options and how to choose the right ones. After a while, the number of options can be a bit overwhelming.
Here is our attempt to help you choose the right caster; and make it simple.
Know Your Caster Options:
- Attachment Type (stem, threaded, or plated)
- Style (rigid, swivel, or a combination of both)
- Material (resilient rubber, polyurethane, neoprene, nylon, pneumatic)
- Diameter (the larger the diameter, the easier it rolls)
Caster Attachment Type:
- Stem Casters
- Threaded Casters
- Plated Casters
See image below for a simple comparison. Here are the main things to keep in mind when deciding on the best caster attachment type for your unit.
Plate Casters
For a more stable mounting base and a less expensive option, look for a plate caster. Attaching a plate caster does require more room for connecting, but then it can be bolted or welded in place. Plate casters are typically used for most medium to heavy duty applications.
Stem Casters
Stem casters provide the greatest maneuverability and are sturdier than the threaded caster options. When adding stem casters to an existing wire shelving unit, keep in mind they require less space to attach but cannot be removed once attached.
Threaded Casters
Threaded casters often come with brakes and are interchangeable. Unlike the stem casters mentioned above, you can take threaded casters off if needed. If you are unsure as to whether or not you want to keep your shelving unit as a mobile unit – the threaded caster is for you.
Caster Style Type
When choosing new casters for your shelving unit or wire shelf truck, it’s important to understand what type of style you will need regarding mobility. Should you pick a rigid caster system, swivel casters, or a combination of the two?
Rigid Casters
Rigid Casters (also known as fixed casters) do not spin or turn. These types of casters are good when traveling a distance with your mobile shelving.
Swivel Casters
Swivel Casters are casters that spin 360 degrees. If maneuverability is a concern, and you will be using your wire shelf truck in tight spaces (i.e. a crowded kitchen, food pantry, etc.), then you may want to choose 4 swivel casters.
The most common caster style we see is the combination of both. [easy-tweet tweet=”Choose 2 rigid casters and 2 swivel casters 4 good mobility in distance & maneuverability.”]
Caster Material Type
- Neoprene
- Nylon
- Phenolic
- Polyurethane
- Rubber
- Pneumatic
The material in which your casters are made could be the most important thing to consider when choosing your perfect caster.
See the material grid below to help you simplify your decision. Keep in mind that the load capacity of your mobile shelving unit or mobile shelf truck will be critical when selecting the proper material.
Key Questions to Ask When Choosing Caster Material for Your Mobile Unit:
- How much weight will you be transporting? What is the load capacity for your mobile shelving unit?
- How frequently will you be moving your unit (Monthly for cleaning? Daily for transporting heavy equipment? Etc.)
- Is this mobile truck or shelf going to be used outdoors? Indoors? Both?
- What condition is the floor on which the shelving unit will be traveling?
- What other conditions will you need to consider? High temperatures? Grease and oil resistant? Wet or dry conditions? Chemical resistant?
Additional Material Facts
- Neoprene – Very quiet, chemical resistant.
- Phenolic – Not good in wet environments
- Polyurethane – Most common and reliable caster choice
- Rubber – Low cost, won’t damage floors
- Pneumatic – ideal for transporting fragile items
Caster Diameter – Size Matters
Typically the larger the diameter of a caster, the more ground you will cover more quickly and the easier the load will roll. However, keep in mind the size requirements you have for space. Do not choose a diameter size that is overly large. When using a larger diameter caster, you are actually increasing the level for the center of gravity and increasing your risks for tipping your shelving unit. Also, the larger the wheel; the more force you will need to get the unit moving from a resting state.
Final Thoughts
When deciding on the best casters for your mobile shelving unit remember to consider:
- How you want to attach the caster (threaded for easy removal, stem for a permanent and more stable solution, or plated for the heavy duty stuff.)
- Whether you want the caster to spin (swivel) or not (rigid.)
- The type of material best suited for your needs.
- The diameter of the wheel (remember the larger the caster, the easier the maneuverability.)
Hopefully, you find our guides to be very helpful in making your determination. The majority of our clients choose the polyurethane casters because they are the most common and have the widest range of usages.
We at Omega Storage Solutions welcome all of your caster questions and would love to talk about creating the perfect custom order to fit your mobile shelving needs. So give us a call or speak to us on LiveChat, we’re here to get you the right wheels for your mobile shelving unit 🙂