Category: CasterU

Heavy-Duty Steel Wheels

Like most heavyweights, steel wheels are not the quietist or the smoothest, but they are absolutely the strongest and if you have an ultra high capacity application, steel wheels are likely your only choice. There are different types of steel wheels and to help you to make an educated buying decision, in this issue of CasterU, we present a short primer on steel wheels.

In addition to be the strongest available wheels, steel wheels are also the hardest. As a result there is very little traction with floor surfaces making them easier to push and pull. On the downside, steel wheels are noisy, prone to vibration and will damage floor surfaces.

These are some of your steel wheel options.

Steel or Semi-Steel Wheels
Algood steel wheels are made from pig iron which is a semi-finished metal produced from iron ore in a blast furnace and containing high amounts of carbon. Pig iron is then further refined in a furnace for conversion into steel. The wheels are formed through a casting process in which metal is heated until liquid and then poured into a mould.

The capacity of Steel wheels  is 2,500 lbs. They are porous and prone to chipping and cracking but are the most economical choice in steel wheels.

Ductile Iron Wheels
Also known as ductile cast iron, is a type of graphite-rich cast iron. It has much more impact and fatigue resistance because of the graphite and in particular because the of nodular shape of the graphite that is used. Ductile iron wheels are also formed using a casting process. 
 
The capacity of Ductile Iron wheels is 15,000 lbs. They are less porous than steel wheels but are still susceptible to cracking and chipping. They are more expensive than steel wheels.

Forged Steel Wheels
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 strong.
 
The capacity of Forged Steel wheels is, at minimum, a whopping 20,000 lbs. They are not porous and are virtually failure-free. Not surprisingly these wheels are the most expensive steel wheel option.

V-Groove Wheels
V-Groove wheels can be made from either cast iron steel or forged steel. They are manufactured with a groove that guides the wheel along a track and are often used to support entrance gates or vault doors.

304 Stainless Steel Wheels
Stainless Steel is a mixture of steel and a minimum of 10.5% chromium. The chromium keeps the steel from oxidizing, rusting, and corroding. Stainless steel wheels are made from round bars of stainless steel material that are lathed to form wheels and are then machined for tread and diameter. 

Stainless wheels are moisture resistant and, unlike all other steel wheels, they will not rust. That makes them ideal for applications that are subject to the elements such as agriculture as well as food, medical and pharmaceutical environments. They will wear better than ductile iron but not as well as forged steel and are in the mid to high price range.

If you need help determining which of these heavy-duty caster will meet 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.

Thread Guards & Hub Caps

Covering up wheels has functional as well as aesthetic benefits and both thread guards and hub caps are effective ways to do that. When ordering casters, you would be wise to consider adding one of them. Here’s what you need to know.

It’s amazing how something as simple as a small disk can save so much wear and tear and make casters look so much better. Thread guards prevent all kinds of debris – lint, metal filings, wood shavings and, of course, threads – from working its way into bearings and axles. Thread guards are mounted over and protect the axle. In addition, because they do not revolve with the wheel, they force debris to accumulate away from the wheel bearing. By protecting the wheel from all that debris, thread guards improve caster performance and dramatically reduce injuries and production delays.

Better yet, thread guards have aesthetic benefits and can enhance the look of a caster. They can be an opportunity to add another colour to a wheel. We frequently create two-tone wheel/thread guard combinations. In addition, larger thread guards that cover more of the core of the wheel produce a sleek, clean-line finish.

Thread guards are available in plastic and steel. Each have their advantages, but plastic is often a more cost effective option and offers more choices of shapes and colours.

Another way to cover the inner portion of a wheel is with hub caps. While they don’t offer the same protection as thread guards, they look great and allow casters to make a design statement, adding to the overall aesthetics of racks, carts and displays. Hub caps are often paired with sealed ball bearings which do offer protection from debris. Algood was the industry leader in introducing hub caps to casters and we continue to offer a wide range of very sharp looking hub caps. However you choose to do it, covering up the inner portion of a wheel offers significant functional and aesthetic benefits.

To find the best option for your requirements, 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.