Five Alternatives to Standard Duty Castors

One of the benefits of standard duty industrial castors are that they are extremely versatile in how they can be put to use, whether on general equipment trolleys, roll cages or pallet cages. However, the unique demands of an industry may mean that a more specialised castor is required. Luckily there are several models of castor which are specifically designed to handle certain applications. Here are five alternative types of castor you can use if a standard duty castor is not sufficient: Heavy Duty Castors As our recent blog explains, heavy duty castors have several admirable qualities which makes them useful in ways that standard duty castors are not. Boasting a larger wheel size and designed to travel at faster speeds than standard duty castors, heavy duty castors are perfect for carrying extremely heavy loads across very long distances. The tough design of heavy duty castors, allowing them to withstand loads of up to 10 tonnes, makes them highly suitable for industrial-scale applications such as car manufacturing and the shipping industry. Stainless Steel Castors Stainless steel castors are made from AISI 304 stainless steel, a general grade of stainless steel which resists many organic and inorganic chemicals. As stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, this type of castor is ideal for use in very wet environments or in industries where the castors must be washed or steam-cleaned on a regular basis, such as the food and catering industry or in medical and pharmaceutical settings. Institutional Castors True to their name, institutional castors are mainly found in the retail, technological or medical sectors. Available in a range of different materials such as zinc plate, stainless steel, or synthetic materials, institutional castors are marked by their diversity in size, shape and carrying capacity, making them perfect for handling wet areas in a hospital or for the navigational ease of mobility equipment. Pneumatic Castors Pneumatic castors are distinguished by their polyurethane plastic or welded steel tyres, a quality which gives them an advantage over standard duty castors which typically have nylon wheels. This gives them greater protection when crossing tiled, sensitive or uneven surfaces instead of hard concrete surfaces, or when carrying particularly fragile loads. Some pneumatic castors are even spring-loaded for extra shock absorption. The sensitivity of pneumatic castors makes them great for use on soft surfaces, such as on mobile cricket pitch covers, or alternatively on wheelbarrows and trolleys facing a particularly bumpy ride. Light Duty Institutional Castors Light duty industrial castors are the siblings of industrial castors, being a little heavier and more robust than their economy counterparts. While these castors also serve as good general purpose castors, their low load potential makes them an economical choice for light industrial uses, carrying up to 100kg compared to heavy duty castors’ 10 tonnes. We hope this blog shows that no matter what application you’re dealing with, you don’t need to rely solely on a standard duty castor.

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