Difference Between Casters and Wheels

Wheels and casters are not the same, but can be interchangeably used for rolling devices, hence the confusion between the two. Casters are not as widespread, but they are much more than just a wheel. If you are looking for casters and are confused between both components, you might end up with the wrong product. However, knowing the correct name and attributes of what you are looking for will help you find it with ease. Before you accidentally buy the wrong product, let us help you understand the exact difference between casters and wheels.

What Are Wheels?

As we all know, wheels are round-shaped objects with a hole in the center that are paired with a shaft to make it usable for a specific purpose. You can also define a wheel as a circular cylinder of a specific width that spins around an axle on any vehicle. In general, wheels are used for many rotary and mechanical purposes.

What Are Casters?

Casters may include the wheels, but they are more than just that. They are the assembly in the haggle section of the aircraft containing the wheels and their brackets, also known as the ‘fork’ or ‘yoke.’ The frame makes it different from a regular wheel. For example, if you want to change a trolley or a chair wheel, you need to replace the caster assembly. Therefore, before searching for a new caster for purchase, you need to know what separates casters from wheels which will save you a lot of time and energy.

Types of Casters:

Swivel Casters - A swivel caster is a crucial tool in the arsenal of any warehouse manager. The 360-degree rotating wheel enables individuals to quickly move heavy loads and easily turn tight corners while staying grounded. In addition, they come in various subtypes such as General Duty Casters, plate/stem mounted styles, and kingpinless casters, the choice depending on the job that is being carried out.

General Duty Casters - The Shepherd's General Duty Swivel Caster has a zinc finish and is RoHS compliant. It also comes with nickel-plated pins for increased smoothness when swiveling, making it ideal for moving furniture or handling materials in various environments where you need to move around without any noise. The exterior of this caster may be nickeled, but there are multiple options available based on what kind of materials will be exposed to your wheel(s). Depending on how much traction or gripping that you need, you can also choose between metals such as steel, plastic, or rubber. The range of 80-120 pounds is what each caster can handle depending upon its size and design, but larger wheels mean greater carrying capacity.

Rigid Casters - Rigid casters do not have any swivel movement and are mounted between the legs of a bracket. They are rarely used because you can move these casters either forward or backward in a straight line and cannot make a turn in corners. Though rigid casters do not have swivel movement, they are solid and durable. Rigid casters are more efficient at carrying weight and can handle higher-capacity missions. The Regent Rigid Top Plate Model is an excellent example of this type, with its heavy-duty design that will never bend under pressure.

Regent Rigid Top Plate Model - This rigid caster features a zinc finish. It has double ball-bearing raceways with octagon washers on its threaded stem, making it perfect for medical equipment or carts. This product also meets RoHS standards with several caster wheel options for Shepherd Rigid Top Plate Casters like soft rubber, TPR, hard rubber, and polyolefin. The load-bearing capacity of these casters can range from 110 to 160 pounds.

Difference Between Wheels and Casters

Wheels are plain and casters are complex in their mechanisms and functionality. Where wheels are only used to roll with the help of external force, casters feature wheels with a metal frame that helps them to be used in conjunction with another object. Since casters contain metal frames, they are available in more types than conventional wheels. One such example is swiveling casters that support swiveling movement and can rotate 360 degrees.

Additionally, casters are easier to install as compared to wheels. Unlike wheels, you do not need to screw or fasten them to an object. Instead, you need a frame wherever casters become an integral part. Casters are made up of stainless steel or aluminum and are easily installable in objects with the help of an attached metal frame.

Conclusion

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