Mobility is important across construction sites, workshops and industrial facilities. From site boxes and mobile workbenches to machinery and material handling equipment, the right wheels can make heavy equipment easier to reposition and use.
Choosing the right castor, however, involves more than finding a wheel that fits. Load capacity, floor conditions, wheel diameter and the operating environment can all affect performance.
Start With the Application
The first consideration should be how and where the equipment will be used.
A mobile workbench operating on smooth concrete has different requirements from a site box regularly moved around a construction environment. Scaffolding, industrial machinery and heavy fabrication equipment also place different demands on their wheels and frames.
Richmond's range of castors covers everything from light and medium-duty applications through to heavy industrial and specialised high-capacity requirements.
Calculate the Required Load Capacity
Always consider the maximum loaded weight of the equipment, not just its empty weight.
For a site toolbox, this means including the cabinet and everything stored inside. For a workbench or trolley, account for the heaviest load it's expected to carry.
Richmond recommends dividing the total weight by the number of castors to determine the required capacity, while also allowing a buffer rather than selecting a castor at its absolute limit.
Consider the Ground Surface
Construction and industrial equipment can encounter everything from smooth concrete to rough workshop floors, asphalt and uneven outdoor surfaces.
Wheel diameter can make a significant difference. Larger wheels generally roll over joints, uneven surfaces and small obstacles more easily, while wheel material can influence rolling resistance, durability and suitability for different floors.
Equipment that moves between indoor and outdoor areas should be selected for the most demanding surfaces it's likely to encounter.
Choose the Right Configuration
Fixed and swivel castors serve different purposes.
Fixed castors provide directional stability, while swivel castors allow equipment to change direction. Many mobile platforms use two fixed and two swivel castors to provide a balance between manoeuvrability and straight-line control.
Where equipment needs to remain stationary during use, braking or lockable options may also be appropriate.
Account for the Working Environment
Temperature, moisture and harsh operating conditions should also influence castor selection.
Wet or corrosive environments may require corrosion-resistant options, while specialised applications can require wheels designed for high or low temperatures. Richmond's range includes stainless steel and temperature-resistant options alongside castors designed for demanding industrial environments.
Construction-specific equipment may also require more specialised solutions. Richmond's range includes site box castors for toolboxes, scaffold castors and heavy industrial options for demanding loads and applications.
Don't Overlook Mounting
The connection between the castor and equipment needs to be suitable for the expected load.
Castors are available with different mounting arrangements, including plate and bolt-hole configurations. For fabricated equipment, considering the castors during the design stage can make it easier to create suitable mounting points and achieve the required finished height.
Small Component, Significant Impact
Castors may be a small part of a workbench, site box or piece of industrial equipment, but they carry the load and determine how easily that equipment moves.
Start with the application and maximum load, then consider the floor surface, wheel size, configuration and operating environment. Getting these details right can result in equipment that's easier to manoeuvre and better suited to the demanding conditions found across construction and industrial workplaces.