Algood, Author at algood-casters.com

9Nov 0

Caster Combinations

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Order something at your favourite fast food joint and it’s likely that the person behind the counter will ask if you’d like to “combo” that. That usually means that you can add things like soft drinks and fries and pay less than you would if you ordered everything individually. Well, it turns out that combos are just as important to casters. You can use a number of combinations of rigid and swivel casters to meet specific needs and applications. In this edition of CasterU we present some of the most common caster combinations along with the pros and cons of each.

Caster Combinations_Two-Rigid-Two-Swivel-B

Two Rigid, Two Swivel is generally the most popular pattern used. This combination is the most practical and the most economic design, primarily used for straight and/or long distances and can be used for most loads, depending on the total weight capacity.

The Three Swivel pattern is found on barrel dollies and small portable machines, which generally require excellent manoeuvrability. Installing a positional swivel lock on one of the casters provides additional control when needed. Because the load is distributed over only three casters, choosing casters with the right capacity is critical to performance.

Caster Combinations_Standard-Tilt-Mount-B

The Standard Tilt Mount consists of four swivel & two rigid casters and is designed for heavy load and long platform trucks. The two rigid casters are higher than the four swivel casters. The tilt is most effective when the rigid casters are 1/8″ higher than the overall height of the swivel casters. This platform design is often used for towing applications and offers easy manoeuvrability with uneven loads and higher capacities.

Diamond Mounting uses two swivel and two rigid casters. However the rigid casters are set at the sides and the two swivel casters are set at the ends. This configuration allows the platform to pivot in the middle and turn on tight corners. It is highly manoeuvrable but less stable and therefore not recommended for ramps. The capacity is strictly dependent upon the capacity of the casters required.

Diamond Tilt Mounting is identical except the two rigid casters are 1/8″ higher than the overall height of the swivel casters. Again capacity is determined by the capacity of the casters. The tilt mount accommodates uneven loads and higher capacities.

Caster Combinations_Diamond-Tilt-Mount-B

Four Swivel casters respond instantly to directional change, making limited spaces easy to manoeuvre. This configuration is recommended for short distances. Installing a positional swivel lock on two of the casters effectively allows you to switch to a two rigid/two swivel configuration when additional control is needed.

Four Swivel, Two Rigid is designed for extremely heavy loads and long platform trucks. The two rigid casters help to distribute and reduce the load on the swivel casters, which maintain good manoeuvrability and makes steering very easy.

For help choosing the best caster combination for your needs, contact your Algood Sales Rep or reach out to our customer service team by email service@algood.com or by phone at +1 (800) 254-6633.

CasterU

26Oct 0

Algood Product Spotlight: Moldon Urethane Wheels

High Capacity Wheels | Easy on Floors

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Here’s a wheel that will handle capacities up to 6,600 lbs while leaving your floors looking like new. Our Moldon Urethane wheel features a urethane tread secured to a cast iron core.

With high tensile strength, these wheels are non-marking and will protect all surfaces while providing a smooth and quiet ride. Moldon Urethane wheels extend the longevity of equipment and by preventing excess movement, they also protect valuable cargo. and. They are resistant to most chemicals and can be used outdoors.

Here’s a wheel that will handle capacities up to 6,600 lbs while leaving your floors looking like new. Our Moldon Urethane wheel features a urethane tread secured to a cast iron core.

Our Moldon Urethanes come in three versions. The standard wheel has a durometer of 93.5 on the A scale while the Heavy Duty (HD) will handle higher capacities and is much harder with a durometer of 70 on the D scale. There is also a crowned tread that offers exceptional manoeuvrability. Wheels come with diameters ranging from 4” to 10” with tread widths from 1-1/2” to 4”. They come with a wide variety of bearings.

These wheels are ideal for heavy material handling and are used in paper mills, steel mills, aircraft engine cradles and heavy machinery equipment as well as platform and stock trucks.

If you are looking for a wheel with the strength of steel that offers outstanding surface protection, you should find out more about our Moldon Urethanes. Just contact your local Algood representative or a member of our customer service team.

Product Spotlight

12Oct 0

Mixed Signals

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Here in Toronto, as we enter the third quarter, the weather has turned dramatically colder. It feels like autumn. That may be the clearest signal facing us. The economy, global politics, the caster industry and even our own customers are all sending mixed signals. You are likely facing some of the same unpredictability. In the spirit of offering our customers and colleagues some insight, here’s what we see and what we’re doing about it.

Higher interest rates are continuing to have an impact. The cost of capital investments has become prohibitive to some and potentially destructive to others. In our own business, we had the foresight to delay some planned projects and the acquisition of equipment. We will be fine but some of our affiliated companies as well as some of our customers are in precarious positions. With the potential for even higher interest rates, the economy remains hard to read.

The labour market has become much tighter. It’s really hard to get well-qualified employees with specialized skill sets. We have decided that we’re not going to feel pressured and settle for second best. For example, it recently took us months and countless candidates to hire a superb electrician. Other businesses may not be in the position to wait for the right talent.

On the positive side, supply chains are strong. Prices of raw materials and other production inputs have steadied. That’s allowing us to effectively plan for 2024 by securing our supply chains and ensuring that our manufacturing capability remains dependable.

However, the price of oil is precarious. Current events in the Middle East have the potential to put dramatic upward pressure on the cost of oil. That, in turn, could have cascading effects on supply chains.

The move toward reshoring is growing. We continue to receive calls from customers who want to reduce or eliminate their offshore purchasing and replace it with North American-made materials. In fact, our orders from customers specifically switching to materials made in North America have increased significantly.

Many of our customers have ambitious plans for 2024 and that is fueling our research, design and engineering efforts. Our R&D initiatives are progressing very well. We expect to introduce a number of new casters in the coming year.

Despite the uncertainty, we recently introduced a new website and are committed to continuously enhancing our online presence through greater CAD functionality and more resources for our customers. Our online catalogues are continuously updated so that you can always get up-to-date product information. We are constantly seeking to improve the user experience on the website. Please share any feedback.

These mixed signals make it very hard to predict what will happen with the economy and the caster industry in the coming months and into 2024. But we are certain that if we continuously improve our integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto and maintain our commitment to outstanding design and engineering, we can’t go wrong. More importantly, we know that our success will be guaranteed by keeping our customers at the centre of everything we do.

What are the mixed signals you are seeing in your businesses? Take a moment and let me know. Who knows. Together, we might be able to make both our companies stronger.

On a more personal note, I want to thank all of you who have called or emailed with your kind messages about what is happening in Israel. With many relatives and friends in Israel, the current events weigh heavily on me and my family here. Your wishes and concerns are comforting.

President's Blog

21Sep 0

Insights Article: A Win for the ALK ALocking Brake

North American Win-Win

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A significant benefit of being a North American Caster Manufacturer is the ability to improve product design in response to operational issues that are brought to our attention.

6500 Series: S6563-A38H-RXW-RB-TG-ALK [Zinc Finish]

Our ALK Brake mechanism is located in the lead position of the caster and is engaged by stepping on the toe of the brake. That securely and positively locks an adjustable rubber grommet to the tread of the wheel. In addition, it simultaneously locks the swivel raceway in any position.

A long-time customer reported that the ALK Brake was slipping and not always engaging. It was an issue that had never before been brought to our attention.

Our design and engineering team investigated and discovered the spring mechanism was deforming the rivet, preventing the swivel lock from locking into the teeth. After further testing and analysis, an action plan was put into place.

The brake design was modified by replacing the rivet with a heat-treated axle and securing it with a lock nut. In addition, we doubled the depth of the grooves that allow the teeth of the spring to securely and firmly engage. That creates more secure contact and prevents slippage.

After our enhancements were complete, we rigorously tested the mechanism and our customer then performed extensive testing. The brake successfully endured 5,000 on-off movements with no deformation and no other mechanical complications.

We were pleased that our customer brought the operational issue to our attention and proud to be given the opportunity to stand behind our 3-year No Excuse Warranty. In the end, this was a win-win because we resolved our customer’s concerns and the improvements will benefit all our customers.

Insights Article: Innovate ALK Brake Top View

Caster Brakes

Algood is proud to manufacture its casters and wheels right here in North America. With our fully integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto, we are leaders in quality and innovation. For more information about Algood Casters, Call: 1-800-254-6633 or Email: Service@Algood.com

Innovate

13Jul 0

Algood Blog: Product Spotlight: 5000 Series

A Caster with Countless Configurations

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Our 5000 Series are the most versatile casters we make. They come with an incredible array of options, including plates, stems, brakes, wheels and finishes. In addition, this is a caster that can be configured for just about any application.

Algood-Renders-5000_Series-S5053-A27D-PLY-PB-TG-iLK

With a capacity of 450 lbs., the 5000 Series can handle an overall equipment load of more than 1,800 lbs. It comes in 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” diameters and can accommodate tread widths of both 1-1/4” and 1-1/2”. There are at least six different plate options and it’s also available as a bolt hole. A wide range of stem options includes round, threaded, both round and square expandable as well as metric sizes.

These versatile casters can be ordered with over a dozen wheel options including our Envirothane™ and ProTech™ as well as the Lava™ for high-temp applications. In addition, you can get it with a double lock brake (DLB), top lock brake (TLB) or our trademarked iLock™ precision directional and wheel lock brake. There are numerous bearing choices and the caster can be finished in black (flat, gloss, ionic), brass, chrome, yellow chromate or the standard zinc finish. Thread guards are also available.

These versatile casters are manufactured in our fully integrated facility in Toronto. That means you get reasonable lead times, dependable delivery dates and guaranteed quality backed by our 3-year No-Excuse Warranty.

Adding to all of that, the 5000 is NSF-Approved, making it perfect for healthcare, pharmaceutical, food processing, high-tech and other clean environments. These casters are moisture-resistant and maintenance-free. They can be used in a wide variety of applications including mobile warehousing equipment, housekeeping & linen carts, material handling equipment, bakery equipment and store fixtures.

To take advantage of the versatility of the 5000 Series, contact your local Algood representative or a member of our customer service team.

Download Catalogue Page

View 5000 Series

Algood is proud to manufacture its casters and wheels right here in North America. With our fully integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto, we are leaders in quality and innovation. For more information about Algood Casters, Call: 1-800-254-6633 or Email: Service@Algood.com

Product Spotlight

15Jun 0

Stunning Office Casters

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These hooded twin wheel casters are manufactured with the highest quality nylon material and are BIFMA approved. And they make equipment look fantastic! It’s no wonder they are a staple of the office casters on furniture and home entertainment industries.

The 300 Series casters are available in three sizes – 40 mm, 50 mm and 60 mm and have a maximum capacity of 125 lbs.

Algood-Casters-0300_Series-03T4-050-.475SX1.3125

Algood-Casters-0300_Series-03T4-050-A15D-B

0300 Series: 03T4-050-.375-16X.75HN [Black]

These casters can be made with a toe brake and are available with three different plates and an assortment of round and threaded stems.

For ease of installation, stems and bodies can be ordered separately or assembled. A number of other finishes as well as an unhooded style are available with qualifying orders.

This caster is perfect for office furniture, chairs, television & stereo stands.

To find out how the 300 Series casters can enhance your office and home entertainment furniture, speak with your local Algood representative or a member of our customer service team

Download Catalogue Page

View 0300 Series Online

Algood is proud to manufacture its casters and wheels right here in North America. With our fully integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto, we are leaders in quality and innovation. For more information about Algood Casters, Call: 1-800-254-6633 or Email: Service@Algood.com

Product Spotlight

8Jun 0

Forged Steel Wheels

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These are the strongest wheels we sell. They are drop forged from ASTM 1045 high-carbon steel and are practically indestructible. With a maximum capacity of 20,000 lbs, there is almost no payload that forged steel wheels won’t bear.

Forged steel is an alloy of carbon and iron that is compressed under extreme pressure to make a very hard and strong substance.

In the forging process heat or force is applied to steel billets or ingots, causing the material to change shape while in a solid state. The resulting highly compressed material is exceptionally durable.

Forged steel is not porous, has tensile strength of 60,000 PSI and adapts extremely well to surface variations. All of that means these wheels are virtually failure-free. Most often used with our heavy-duty Kingpinless casters, they are available in 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” diameters.

Forged steel wheels come with a variety of bearing options for optimal performance at different applications. The standard bore is 1-1/4” but 3/4” and 1” options are possible. Here is the full range of specs:

These wheels are extremely hard with a durometer of Rockwell B (80 – 90). That, along with their impressive strength-to-weight ratio, leads to reduced surface friction and allows for easier push/pull. They are used for highly demanding applications including factory use, waste bins, platform trucks, stock trucks and heavy material handling. Also, with a temperature rating that tops out at 1,300ºF, they can be used in bakeries, autoclaves and other extreme heat environments.

Algood-Caster-Monsoon_Series-SMO83-A63L-FSX2-TB

To find out more about our forged steel wheels and see how they can meet your needs, speak to your local Algood representative or a member of our customer service team.

Download Catalogue Page

View Forged Steel Wheels

Algood is proud to manufacture its casters and wheels right here in North America. With our fully integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto, we are leaders in quality and innovation. For more information about Algood Casters, Call: 1-800-254-6633 or Email: Service@Algood.com

Product Spotlight

29Dec 0

Low Profile. High Capacity.

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Our Mighty Maxx™ caster packs a punch while keeping a very low profile. It combines impressively low overall height of 3 5/8” with an equally impressive 1,750 lbs. of capacity.

Algood-Caster-MIGHTY_MAXX-S65253-B29F-RXW2-RB

The Mighty Maxx™ has been engineered for maximum strength. It is manufactured using a work-hardened proprietary steel composition that adds both durability and longevity. A stabilizer added to the front of the yoke strengthens the caster, creating front-to-rear load balance and preventing the caster from failing when subjected to shock loads. In addition, the caster comes with a rollover emboss top plate that features a deep draw curl to add capacity and prevent bending. Even better, the plate is fastened with an M8 nut for quick assembly.

Mighty Maxx comes with dual 2-3/8” x 1-3/8” RollX™ wheels equipped with roller bearings. Made from a proprietary thermoplastic nylon glass fill material, RollX wheels require minimum effort to roll with heavy loads. They withstand hard impacts, are non-marking, do not absorb water and are resistant to most chemicals, solvents, gases, acids and steam cleaning.

Two wheels keeps a low profile and adds capacity and make the caster easier to maneuver. When turning, one wheel pivots, making it almost effortless to navigate curves and corners.

The Mighty Maxx is finished using corrosion resistant zinc with a yoke and raceway that are heat treated. It is available with a thumb screw brake (TSB) and you can order matching rigid casters.

Produced right here in our manufacturing facility just outside Toronto, this caster is a model of North American design and ingenuity. It’s available with reasonable lead times, dependable delivery dates and is backed by our 3-year No-Excuse Warranty.

It’s perfect for low profile, heavy duty professional equipment, business machines, industrial automatic dispensers, food/drink dispensing machines, appliances as well as freezer and refrigerator showcases.

If you have an application that needs maximum strength but minimum height, you should be looking at Mighty Maxx™. Find out more from your local Algood representative or a member of our customer service team.

Download Catalogue Page

View Mighty Maxx Online

Algood is proud to manufacture its casters and wheels right here in North America. With our fully integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto, we are leaders in quality and innovation. For more information about Algood Casters, Call: 1-800-254-6633 or Email: Service@Algood.com

Product Spotlight

14Oct 0

High Capacity, Low Height, Turns on a Dime

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This configuration combined qualities that you almost never find together in one caster – high capacity that meets an overall height restriction and ergonomics to navigate tight spaces. To accomplish that we combined our kingpinless Typhoon™ head with two 4” x 2” NyRock™ wheels.

The caster creation features an overall height that is under 6” and a capacity of 3,500lbs. Beyond the castersmithing that stands behind the design and engineering of this caster, the best part is that it is 100% produced onshore in our fully integrated manufacturing facility just outside Toronto.

The Typhoon head is robotically welded directly to the plate making it just about indestructible. That ruggedness and durability makes it ideal for high-impact, heavy-duty or high temperature applications.

Our NyRock wheels are made from high impact compression moulded polymer and are CNC machined in our plant. They come with precision bearings, have a temperature range of -40ºF to 250ºF, and a durometer of 78-82D. NyRock wheels provide a smooth, easy and quiet ride, can be used indoors or outdoors, are non-marking, and offer outstanding floor protection.

Two wheels make this innovative caster easier turn and provide added stability, both of which are an absolute must when moving heavy loads. While this configuration was designed for an automotive application, the same caster can be used for industrial and aerospace environments.

To find out more about this creative configuration or to discuss how we can meet your unique caster requirements, contact your local Algood representative or a member of our customer service team.

Lava WOW Wheel: W-7006-LVW-1.188 [Black]

Innovate

29Sep 0

Brakes on Rigid? You Bet.

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The most common pattern for four casters is two swivel casters on the rear of a piece of equipment and two rigid casters in front. When brakes are needed, they are almost always mounted on the swivel casters. But our customers told us that there are times when they need equipment to be completely locked in place. That’s what led to the development of rigid casters with brakes, one of our most popular creative caster configurations.

If you are working with cargo that is very heavy or hazardous, safety considerations will dictate that the equipment being used must be totally stationary. Imagine for example grain being poured into a waiting bin. Any small movement could result in significant loss. Likewise, when fragile or precious cargo is being transported, any unnecessary motion could be extremely costly. Locking all four casters, including the rigids, is the only solution.

Our rigid casters are available with a side locking or a top locking brake. The side locking brake is specially equipped with an actuator that makes positive contact with the wheel. The rigid yokes are notched (see photo at right) to allow the brake mechanism to fit snugly into the rig and improve performance. Both brakes are easily foot-activated.

Brakes are available on rigid casters in most of our series including a wide range of sizes and capacities. They can be produced using stainless steel and in a variety of finishes.

These casters are made in our fully integrated manufacturing facility in Toronto, many other configurations are possible along with favourable lead times and 100% dependable delivery dates.

If you’re looking for brakes on rigid casters that are easy to use and will provide outstanding security, contact your local Algood representative or contact a member of our customer service team.

Innovate

22Sep 0

Three E’s are Keeping Me Awake

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I monitor economic news and insights very closely. It’s part of my daily media routine and there are several people whose opinions I seek out and follow. Based on all that, there are three interconnected E’s that are keeping me awake lately. The situation in Europe, the impending global energy crisis and the economy all have my full attention these days. I’m concerned but I’m also very confident that Algood’s manufacturing will remain strong.

Europe’s supply of gas has been cut off by Russia and the effects are rippling through every country. Electricity supplies may not be enough to sustain the winter. In some places, raw material production and manufacturing is being shuttered. Production of everything from manufacturing components to toilet paper is being reduced. Not surprisingly, both unemployment and prices are soaring.

Algood ships worldwide, including to Europe and some of our components are manufactured in Europe. Both of those factors may present a challenge to our business over the coming months. In addition, what happens in Europe does not stay in Europe. There will be global repercussions to the current state of European affairs.

Gasoline and oil prices in North America peaked about six weeks ago but in California, there is a severe energy crisis. The Californian electricity grid can’t keep up with the demand and electricity imported from other states is not enough to close the gap. The state is re-evaluating its decision to mothball nuclear power plants. All of that makes the state more dependent on fossil fuels. While Russian oil represents only three percent of total imports to the U.S., nearly half of Russian oil shipped into the U.S. last year, or close to 100,000 barrels a day, ended up primarily in California, Washington and Hawaii. And California’s economy is the largest in the U.S. and the fifth largest in the world.

California may be the canary in the coal mine. We can expect extreme weather to put demands on energy grids throughout North America. While oil prices have been declining, reductions in global supply will reverse that trend. Rising energy costs will affect every type of production, having an impact on supply chain, employment and the cost of goods.

That brings me to E number three – the economy. The inflation rate is high. While the cost of some goods like steel, wood and paperboard have started to come down the cost of other supplies and components is rising, hurting manufacturing. Central banks in the U.S. and Canada are increasing interest rates with no ceiling in sight. While experts debate about whether the economy is officially in a recession, the economic outlook gets bleaker. Stock markets are losing value. A recent PwC study indicated that 50% of firms in the U.S. are forecasting layoffs. The future is, at best, uncertain.

A number of our suppliers and customers reducing output and laying off employees. We expect that supply chain issues will persist for both manufacturers and consumers. The impact on sales is unclear but it’s unlikely that our revenue will not grow this year.

Our employees have always been our most important asset and we are concerned for them. The cost of food, clothing and other items is increasing rapidly, straining personal budgets. Families are being forced to do more with less which increases stress levels.

We have faced tough situations before and not only did we survive, we thrived. In 2008, we didn’t lay off a single employee and made a decision to reinvest in our business. Over the past two years, we very successfully guided the company through the pandemic and emerged stronger.

Throughout it all, we have grown by being responsive to the needs of our customers. We have innovated by bringing new products to the market and by finding unique solutions to meet customers’ requirements. The quality of every caster and wheel that leaves our plant is guaranteed and our reputation for on-time delivery is unmatched.

Despite my concerns, I am confident that none of that will change. We are moving forward with product development projects and capital equipment acquisition. I am watching these three Es – Europe, energy prices and the economy – very closely. But I’m also ensuring that we will be there for our customers and remain the next generation of CasterSmiths.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our Jewish customers, colleagues and friends a Happy and Healthy New Year.

President's Blog

25Aug 0

Zero Gravity

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Algood’s new Zero Gravity™ caster delivers a ride so smooth and so quiet, it’s like being in space. This heavy duty shock absorbing caster comes with precision ball bearings that provide ease of rolling. Dual springs take on uneven surfaces and obstructions while preventing shock to the load. Thread guards prevent debris from gathering on the wheel bearings, help to retain lubricants and keep out contaminants.

The pre-load capacity of the Zero Gravity is 200 lbs., and the bottom-out is 1,100 lbs., with a sweet spot of 700 lbs., at 4.5″ of deflection. Featuring a corrosion resistant bright zinc finish, Zero Gravity is perfect for lift truck applications, narrow aisle reach trucks, pallet trucks, order pickers and walkie trucks.

Zero Gravity Series: SSLTW82-A38H-LVW-RB-C [Zinc]

Weight Capacity: 200-1,100 lbs.
Pre-Load Capacity:
- 200 lbs.
- Bottom-Out 1,100 lbs.
- 700 lbs. at 4.5″ of Deflection

Applications:
- Lift Trucks
- Narrow Aisle Reach
- Trucks Pallet Trucks
- Order Pickers
  - Walkie Trucks

Corrosion Resistant Bright Zinc Finish

Zero Gravity™ is part of Algood’s innovative product line and can be customized – including spring deflection, wheel type/size and capacity of up to 65,000 lbs – to meet particular requirements. With internal engineering and design departments in a fully integrated manufacturing facility, Algood develops customer focused caster solutions that meet specifications, timelines and budgets.

Innovate

Author: Algood