When it comes to getting materials across level spaces, casters and wheels are those all-important pieces that make everything go. For dollies and other moving equipment, vendors offer a wide variety of wheels and casters depending on the intended use. Buyers can choose from these different kinds of wheels and casters to replace worn parts, build new dollies, or upgrade their existing equipment.

Online vendors offer catalogs of all sizes and shapes of dolly casters and wheels, showing pictures of dolly casters and wheels and listing size specifications, weight ratings, and much more. Buyers can look for:

1. Single wheels or parts for replacing a worn or damaged part of a dolly or cart, upgrading a piece of moving equipment or even outfitting a cabinet or storage set.

2. Large bolted wheel or caster sets for building a heavy-duty, durable dolly from scratch with lumber or other materials.

3. Special feature dolly wheels and casters for safer dollies and moving equipment, including braking and swivel devices.

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Use a large bolted caster wheels set for building new dollies

With the kinds of durable plastic or rubber wheels offered by some vendors, you can create your own moving equipment just by fixing the part with long screws into solid lumber frames.

I recommend: Caster City offers a variety of sizes for wheel sets to fashion your own durable, heavy duty dollies and movers. Choose from an extensive list of solo wheels and casters for dolly models at C&H: The Storage and Material Handling Leader.

Find dolly wheels with special features for safety

Other vendors offer dolly wheels and casters that have specific protection features. Use these industrial dolly casters for upgrading dollies and equipment to a higher safety standard for working with oversized or heavy objects.

I recommend: The Vanda King site offers dolly casters with brakes attached for pianos and other heavy object moving. Get more swivel and braking casters at Tool King.

Get various parts for replacing dolly casters and wheels

If your moving gear has fallen into disrepair, make a quick buy online and have replacement parts shipped out to your company. Fit new parts onto dollies and other supplies and get your shop running smoothly again.

I recommend: In the Ditch offers an online catalog of dolly replacement parts for fixing that lopsided moving device. Look for more single industrial caster wheels and parts at Durable USA/Superior Caster, where a visual catalog showcases fixes for equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When using dolly casters and wheels, look for weight ratings to be sure their rating matches the intended use. It can also be helpful to measure the aperture if you are replacing a dolly wheel and make sure the caster fixture fits into your frame.

Dolly wheel casters are an often an under-appreciated and overworked part of the business world. They are responsible for putting the move on everything from office chairs and tool stands to shopping carts and hospital beds.

There's no job too big or too small for caster wheels. They are, indeed, a back-saving invention few could imagine doing without. Or, if your product doesn't call for permanent wheels, a wheel dolly is the perfect solution. Here are some important things to know before you start shopping:

1. The weight your dolly wheels will carry;

2. The surface over which your caster wheels will roll; and

3. The purpose your wheeled dolly casters will serve.

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Determine for what product or products your caster wheels are used

Dolly caster wheels are available in a variety of categories, ranging from very light duty to heavy duty dolly casters. Knowing what your caster wheels are going on and how much weight they will need to bear is important in determining which ones to purchase.

I recommend: Visit Ace Casters to see the dolly caster wheels available for different weight ranges. Muvtons conveniently categorizes its dolly caster wheels by material, load range and industry, making it easy to figure out what you need when you don't exactly know where to begin. For a breakdown by usage, visit National Caster Corporation. And, if you're simply looking for a portable wheel dolly, Eastwood Company has a great selection.

Consider the surface over which your caster wheels will roll

Will your dolly casters and wheels be rolling on tile, hardwood floors, cement or plush carpeting? Will they be exposed to outdoor elements, chemicals, dust or shavings? Do your wheels need to swivel or just roll back and forth? Do they need brakes?

I recommend: Allied Caster & Equipment gives a short explanation of what type of surface each of its industrial caster wheels rolls best on. Visit casters4less.com if you're looking for furniture casters designed for either carpet or hardwood floors.

Decide whether fashion and fun are important

Wheels are wheels, you say? Not so anymore! Even industrial dolly casters are available with fun twists and eye-catching flair.

I recommend: You won't believe your eyes at Cool Casters--they have some wheels that are sure to brighten up your otherwise dull office environment! Or, visit Tente, whose cat caster is sure to bring a smile to everyone's face!

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A number of sites that sell dolly casters and wheels list their products by brand, which is terrific if you know for what brand you're looking. Many offer the option of simply calling for ordering help, as well, since there are literally thousands of dolly wheels from which to choose.

When choosing dolly casters and wheels for your business, you should think about how you will be using the dolly. Do you need casters and wheels that can easily carry a heavy load? Are you worried about leaving marks on the floors? Is noise a concern? Will you be pushing the dolly through surfaces that are wet, outdoors or rough? Dolly casters and wheels key terms can help you learn the answers to some of these questions. These terms describe six different types of dolly casters and wheels. After you learn them, you should be able to make your selection with confidence.

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Polyurethane

A polyurethane wheel is a great wheel option for a dolly that you will use in a moist area such as a garage or warehouse. It is durable, non-marking and non-conductive. It resists corrosion and provides a smooth ride over cracked and uneven floor surfaces.

I recommend: Visit Lisle Corporation for an expanded explanation of the polyurethane wheel.

Rubber

Installing rubber wheels on a dolly has many advantages. Rubber rolls smoothly, protects floors and operates quietly. Also, soft rubber wheels help to minimize shock and keep the dolly's cargo from vibrating. Hard rubber wheels make it easier to move the dolly over rough surfaces such as carpet.

I recommend: Check out AnytimeProducts for more on the benefits of soft and hard rubber wheels.

Plastic

Plastic, or polyolefin, dolly wheels offer versatility. They operate well on most floors, resist chemicals and are quiet and rust-proof.

I recommend: To see pictures of plastic wheels and to learn more about their maximum weight capacity, visit Mapp Caster.

Steel

Steel dolly wheels are ideal for heavy loads. Steel wheels are durable, resist abrasion and roll well when carrying heavy weights.

I recommend: The Garage Store shows examples of steel wheel dollies that you can use on a boat, car and ATV. The website includes additional information about steel dolly wheels.

Pneumatic

A pneumatic wheel works great in an outdoor environment. It is a thick wheel designed to absorb vibrations and shocks, while rolling over most surfaces.

I recommend: To see pictures of pneumatic wheels and to learn more, visit DH Casters International.

Non-marking aluminum

When you need strength, shock resistance and maximum floor protection, you should select non-marking dolly wheels. These wheels use an aluminum hub that a soft rubber or polyurethane tread surrounds.

I recommend: Caster City has pictures of non-marking aluminum wheels and much more information.

Purchasing a wheel dolly or caster can be expensive when you factor in maintenance costs, special wheel features and wheel types. However, there are ways to reduce your wheeled dolly costs when selecting and ordering your next set of wheels. These include buying in bulk, paying for only the features you need and selecting wheels that require little or no maintenance.

Saving money on dolly casters and wheels allows you to focus on getting the model that best suits your needs without going over budget. If you want to reduce your costs for dolly casters and wheels, consider the following:

1. Purchase wheels for dollies and casters in bulk.
   
2. Select low-maintenance dolly wheels and casters.
3. Pick basic models unless heavy duty dolly casters or other special features are specifically needed.
   

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Buy caster and dolly wheels in bulk

When buying furniture dolly casters and dolly wheels casters, placing large orders can result in a cheaper price per caster or wheel, or discounts such as a certain percentage off or free shipping. This works best when ordering directly from the manufacturer or a wholesale supplier. However, not all companies offer discounts for ordering in bulk, and you may find your selection limited. Placing large orders also can mean longer order times. When placing orders in bulk, you may be required to ask for a quote, or negotiate the details of large orders.

I recommend: Ask for a quote on bulk caster and dolly wheels from the wide wheel selection available from RWM Casters, or place a bulk order with Cool Casters and get free shipping.

Choose self-lubricating dolly wheels and casters

A self-lubricating dolly wheel can be made out of rubber or resin which eliminates the need for purchasing and applying lubricant to your wheel bearings. This can save you money on maintenance costs, as well as labor, and provide a consistent performance from your caster and dolly wheels. Self-lubricating wheels and casters can be slightly more expensive than basic models, so be sure to compare maintenance and lubricant costs to the extra you'll pay for self-lubricating wheels.

I recommend: Customize your self-lubricating caster by requesting a quote from Shepherd Caster Corporation, or purchase a basic self-lubricating model from Reid Supply Company.

Buy only the type of dolly and caster wheels you need

When selecting dolly and caster wheels, select a model that has only the features you need. Many of the more expensive dolly casters and wheels have extra features, like anti-microbial materials, acid resistance, silent operation and more. These additional elements can drastically raise the price of your average wheels for dollies. Pick a caster wheel and dolly that can carry what you need it to comfortably without all the fancy and expensive extras.

I recommend: Select basic models from the huge selection of wheel types and load weights available from Conveyor and Caster or Bernie's Equipment Company.