If you use carts or other items with caster wheels, you need them running smoothly. Regardless of whether you are in an office, a factory or any other type of location, the same approach can help you achieve a smooth ride. Take a look at these tips:

1. Don't overload the castors.

Most castor wheels have a set load bearing capacity. If you surpass this, you place additional pressure on the castors, and as a result, they may become misshapen and not roll as easily. To avoid this, make sure that you know the weight your castors can hold and follow those limits.

Put warning signs on equipment as needed to ensure employees also follow these weight limitations.

2. Clean the castors.

Unfortunately, if dirt or viscous, sticky liquids get stuck in the castor wheel, it can prevent the wheel from rolling freely. To prevent this, make sure that you clean your castor wheels on a regular basis. They tend to get hair, dust and other debris built up in them.

To clean them, remove them. Then, soak them in hot water with a bit of dish soap. This is gentle enough for use on plastic or metal castors, and it breaks down oils effectively. Remove the castors and reattach them. If dust, rather than grease and dirt, tend to be the biggest obstacle in your situation, use a can of compressed air to remove the dust from the caster.

3. Smooth the path.

If the floor is bumpy, your castors won't roll smoothly, so you need to find ways to make your rolling surface smoother. If you are using caster wheels indoors on carpet, invest in smooth vinyl floor mats. If you roll your castors over a concrete factory floor, kept it well swept and clean.

If you use your castors outside, repair broken concrete as needed, and keep dirt paths smooth. You can buy rollers (often called lawn rollers) to help -- you fill these with water and then push them over your path to level it.

4. Repair brakes.

Many castor wheels have brakes. Whilst cleaning your castor wheels, make sure that their brakes are in working order. They need to be able to engage and unlock easily. If they don't, replace them. Unfortunately, brakes that aren't working correctly may prevent your castors from rolling because they create friction against the wheel.

Finally, in some cases, you may simply need to replace your castors. If you want more tips on keeping your castor wheels running smoothly, contact a castor specialist.

 

Share