Once you've chosen the best heavy equipment for your business, you'll want to consider setting it up on industrial casters. These casters are heavy-duty wheels that connect to the bottom of your equipment, making large objects like network servers and baking ovens conveniently mobile.

In order to meet the demands of diverse businesses around the globe, industrial caster suppliers must offer an equally diverse assortment of wheels, giving their customers the ability to customize their workplace mobility solutions. When narrowing down your choices and choosing the right industrial wheels, keep the following facts in mind:

1. Industrial casters and wheels come in a wide variety of sizes and materials.

2. Industrial wheel suppliers pre-rate their products for supporting a certain amount of weight.

3. Not all industrial caster wheels can withstand temperature extremes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick the right material for your casters and wheels

Depending on your equipment's size, sensitivity and weight, you'll need to consider the compounds comprising your casters. Some wheels provide outstanding grip, but they may not be as durable as ones that are less sticky. Finding a balance between the two ensures you get the best functional value for your money.

I recommend: Both Trew Industrial Wheels, Inc. makes wheels from high-quality industrial-strength compounds, including polyurethane, iron, aluminum and drop-forged steel. R & K Industrial Products Co., Inc. sells casters alone and wheels with polyurethane, rubber or neoprene tread.

Choose an industrial caster wheel that's strong enough for the job

Many casters can't support the weight of heavy-duty shop equipment or industrial-size machinery. While some are made to hold lightweight structures like kitchen cooling racks or storage bins, others are made to tackle tough jobs around the factory. Picking the right caster's necessary to keep your equipment and your employees safe.

I recommend: Sporting a load capacity of 20,000 lb., the Maxi-Duty caster from Hamilton Caster & Mfg. Co. is strong enough for nearly every industrial application. For an excellent variety of caster strengths, browse the selection of wheels that hold loads from 75 to 2,000 lb. at E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Co.

Make sure your casters and wheels can handle your business' heat

Not all industrial wheels for casters are built to handle the high temperatures of workshop and factory floors. Even though they may accommodate your equipment's weight and your workspace's architecture, they may lose their tensile strength or completely melt above certain temperatures. Because of this, it's essential to check if your wheels are heat-resistant enough for your applications.

I recommend: Arbco Wheels produces a line of industrial wheels specifically designed to withstand high temperatures, offering continuous protection up to 475 degrees F. For a wheel that tolerates a wide range of temperature, look at the Series 600 Polyolefin Wheel by The Fairbanks Company--it works between -20 and 230 degrees F.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get industrial caster wheels with pneumatic tires if cushioning and impact-resistance are your chief concerns.