The Importance of Light-Duty Shock Absorber Casters

Shock-absorbing caster wheels are often used for carts, trucks, and racks in manufacturing and storage applications. They protect sensitive cargo and equipment from shock loads, reduce noise during movement, and save hundreds in maintenance costs. However, they must be correctly outfitted with the correct springs to ensure optimal deflection. Otherwise, they may do more harm than good.

Weight Capacity

With a load capacity of up to 18,000 pounds, shock-absorbing casters offer the ideal durability and traction for most light- to heavy-duty applications. Light duty shock absorber casters help protect cargo, equipment, and workers from being jolted when navigating rough floors and terrain. The key is in the springs, designed to deflect and absorb impact when a cart or vehicle encounters an uneven surface. The springs are also positioned to minimize noise and vibration, a concern that can arise with incorrect spring selection. Casters are typically used to support carts, trucks, racks, and trolleys for furniture/fixtures/displays, industrial carts, medical equipment, point-of-purchase displays, and food processing equipment. Heavy-duty models feature zinc-plated steel frames and a stronger kingpin than medium-duty models to handle heavier loads. The casters also have double-ball swivel bearings to reduce the likelihood of shimmy during movement.

Durability

Shock-absorbing casters can protect your equipment and materials from damage during transport. They also make maneuvering your carts and equipment easier on rough surfaces, reducing the risk of an accident or other incident. Light-duty shock-reducing casters feature a commercial-type coil spring combination designed to withstand the variety of impacts that can occur during transportation. This system eliminates shortened service life caused by rusting or loss of tension within standard metal springs. These casters come with a premium polyurethane tread that is non-marking, safe for all floor types, and easy roll maintenance-free ball bearings. They are also available with brake designs, including side brakes that can be activated by a foot pedal on the caster. This allows the operator to use their hands while moving the cart and can be an excellent option for limited space. These brakes are also ideal for environments where the caster is used regularly.

Noise Reduction

Shock-absorbent caster wheels help reduce the noise made when moving carts and equipment. This is important in clean environments where sound can disrupt the work environment. The shock-absorbing capabilities also protect the equipment from damaging the floor or the cargo it is carrying. Medium-duty shock-absorbing plate casters have corrosion-resistant aluminum frames with nonmarking wheels and precision ball bearings. These casters are ideal for carts, dollies, racks, trolleys, and similar equipment in cleanrooms, food processing facilities, automotive applications, hospitals, and electronic manufacturing plants. Heavy-duty shock-absorbing casters feature thicker zinc-plated steel frames and stronger kingpins than medium-duty models. These casters can handle heavier loads and more frequent use, making them appropriate for airport ground-support equipment, assembly line carts, trash gondolas, and lift truck stabilizer casters. The commercial-type coil spring combinations used in these casters compress and flex to cushion the load, reducing the chance of overturning or excessive shimmy.

Maintenance

There are many varieties of shock-absorbing casters on the market. Some are explicitly designed for light-duty applications where a smaller caster footprint is necessary, while others are meant to be heavy-duty and have varying weight capacities. All have a special spring that absorbs the impact of any bumps or jerks that may occur during equipment movement. This helps reduce the shock and vibration transferred to the cart rolling along rough floors or surfaces. This keeps delicate or sensitive cargo from being jostled or damaged. It also protects employees from injuries caused by jarring movements. It can be essential for airport ground-support equipment, storage equipment, and assembly line.