Ball Casters

A ball caster is made up of several different parts. These include the king pin, top plate, top cup and raceway, bracket, lower cup and raceway, lubrication, king pin nut, wheel, wheel bearing, spanner bushing, lubrication axle and axle assembly. There might be slight variations in casters produced by different companies, and its different models, but the principles remain the same. The parts mentioned hold the caster together, and facilitate its movements. The chief function of a ball caster is to provide easy maneuverability. Thus, it is important that all the parts used are of high quality, and are assembled in such a way that there is no distortion to the unit to which the caster is attached.

Casters allow movement to equipment by ways of wheel and horn assemblies that are attached to the equipment.

Rigid and swivel are two basic type of casters. Rigid casters allow only straight-line movement, while swivel casters are used for movement in any direction.

There are some varieties of swivel casters that can be transformed to rigid casters by the way of engaging a lock provided. Various materials such as aluminum, brass, chrome, etc. are used to manufacture rigid and swivel industrial casters. A caster may also be such that, the wheel or roller makes use of one type of material, while the plate, horn, and mounting flange are made of another. There are various important specifications that needs to be considered while choosing casters, which include the load capacity, wheel tread width, wheel diameter, and height.

There are various types of wheels that are used in casters. V-grooved wheels provide superior traction, and can ride on tracks or floors. Pneumatic wheels are those, which are filled with air. Such wheels usually consist of a rubber tire on a metal rim and offer better shock absorption. Tube and tube-less versions of such wheels are also available. Applying heat and pressure to layers of paper or glass cloth along with synthetic resin is the method use to manufacture a pneumatic wheel. Solid materials such as plastic, polyurethane, metal, and rubber can also be used to manufacture wheels for industrial casters, as these provide added strength. Plastic wheels are usually mounted on metal or plastic hubs, while rubber wheels can be mounted on either plastic or metal hubs. Metal wheels are often made out of stainless steel and usually include forged components. Ball casters are those that feature a ball shaped wheel. Though usually made up of brass, they may also be manufactured with many other materials.

Ways to increase the life of your caster:
1  Swivel assembly should be checked for excessive play resulting due to wear. A loose swivel assembly should be replaced. A loose king pin should never be tightened, but should be as this usually means that it is worn out.
2  swivel assembly should be replaced if it does not turn freely, and so should a bent and distorted bracket.
3  Loose bolts and nuts should be tightened and care should be taken to see if there are any broken welds.
4  Lock nuts or lock washers should always be used.
5  The frame, platform, legs, and equipment should be checked for distortions, bending, or other damage. In case of damage, its use should be discontinued and should be replaced.
6  Re-lubricate should be done regularly, according to the use.
7  In case of frequent cart washings, frequent lubrication maybe required, especially after each washing.
8  Regular lubrication will increase the life and performance of wheel and swivel bearings.