The importance of using the correct heavy-duty caster and caster wheels to avoid costly overexertion injuries.
Casters and caster wheels that are not right for the application can cause numerous issues leading to injury, downtime, and even equipment damage. With a majority of injuries revolving around overexertion, using an ergonomic caster wheel can help prevent overexertion — and overspending. The economic impact of preventable injuries can be seen in the graphic below, where The National Safety Council estimates the total cost of worker injury costs.
General rules to consider when choosing a high-capacity caster.
There are some general rules of physics to think about when choosing a high-capacity caster which we’ll cover before considering load weight and push force. These are:
- A larger caster wheel will offer better ergonomics. Going from a 6” to an 8” wheel with the same material will give you about a 15 percent increase in efficiency while reducing push/pull force.
- A harder durometer caster wheel will also give you better ergonomics, but an extremely hard wheel could damage your floor.
- A smaller caster wheel width gives a smaller footprint, which offers the prospect of better ergonomics.
- Different bearings in the caster swivel and the wheel can have a great impact on your efficiency.
- TWERGO® casters can significantly increase your ease of pushing or pulling a cart. TWERGO® is essentially two wheels working together to create less friction between the wheels and the floor surface, giving you easier cart movement.
Load Weight and Push Force Considerations
Choosing the right industrial caster and wheel depends on two things: the load being placed on each caster and the initial push force to get the load started. In general, carts should be at a push force of 35lbs. This push-force weight gives around 90% of the population the ability to push the cart.
- Load Weight – First determine the maximum load you will need your casters to support. Fortunately, TWERGO® casters come in various sizes and can support loads of up to 14,000 pounds per caster. By adding additional casters, it’s possible to move loads weighing many tons. You should also add a safety factor of 33% to your overall weight. This helps supports the load if it shifts and places more weight on a particular caster.
- Initial Push Force – The initial push force consideration is huge since the majority of workers’ compensation claims are the result of overexertion injuries. TWERGO casters reduce initial push force and wheel friction when navigating around corners. This can drastically reduce the risk of injuries, protecting both your workers and your equipment.
- Maintenance Requirements – Another appeal of TWERGO industrial casters is that they are maintenance-free. The wheel cores are made from die-cast aluminum that is lightweight and strong, and the bearings are completely sealed so no lubrication is required.
Additional TWERGO® Benefits
Heavy-duty TWERGO® wheels are not just maintenance-free, they are designed to wear slower than similar casters. This is due to the unique parabolic wheel face and durable aluminum wheel core that is rust- and corrosion-resistant.
The parabolic wheel face reduces the force required to start the casters moving. The double- or triple-wheel design and independently rotating wheels also play a crucial role in reducing friction. The tread is designed to push debris out of the way, which can prevent risk and damage to the caster or the load.
Our heavy-duty, industrial TWERGO wheels are truly a triple threat. Not only can they support loads weighing in at multiple tons, but they can do so while reducing the force required to start moving. And they outlast other casters of the same size and capacity and require no maintenance, which helps to decrease your costs and increase productivity at the same time.
