Choosing the Right Caster Load Capacity.

Ever since wheels were put on caissons, casters have added mobility to military operations, so choosing the right caster load capacity is paramount in preventing caster failure when moving heavy loads.

Caster load capacity refers to the maximum weight that a caster can support without failing and is a combination of three main factors:

• Static Load: The maximum weight a caster can bear when stationary.
• Dynamic Load: The weight a caster can handle while moving. Dynamic Load takes into account the additional stresses a caster experiences when moving.
• Impact Load: The sudden force a caster can absorb, such as the jarring that occurs when the caster hits uneven surfaces or the shock loads that occur when weight gets dropped on the cart.

Measuring Caster Capacity.

A caster’s load capacity is measured per caster. That means whatever the total weight of the load is, you divide that by the number of casters you are using. Proper caster load capacity is vital for preventing overloading, which can lead to caster failure, equipment damage, and safety risks. For this reason, a safety factor is also calculated.

In a perfect world, if you had a 10,000 lbs. load over four casters, each caster’s load capacity would be 2500 lbs.

However, ground surfaces are certainly not perfect. So, not all the casters could be touching the ground at the same time. This is why you need to build in a safety factor: Three wheels make a plane, so you want to ensure that your casters have the capacity to carry the entire load on 3 casters.

Choosing the Right Caster Load Capacity: Factors to Consider.

Casters used in military applications face a variety of environments, surface conditions, and usage requirements. That’s why it’s important to consider these additional factors when choosing high load capacity casters:

• Caster Wheel Diameter: Larger diameters provide greater stability and handle uneven surfaces better. Our SH12 Extra Heavy Duty Swivel Casters come in larger wheel diameters of 9.5, 10, and 12 inches.
• Tread Width and Profile: Wider treads offer better stability, and the thicker tread of a High Profile Wheel also offers the additional benefits of shock mitigation. You’ll also get the same type of shock mitigation benefits from a pneumatic wheel.
• Towing Speeds: Many outdoor situations involve moving equipment with tuggers, tractors, or powered mechanisms. These devices surpass the average human’s walking speed, and this matters for your caster choice. In these types of situations, you will need a caster that can handle the additional stresses of high-speed towing.
• Uneven Terrains: Indoors or outdoors, rugged or uneven terrains and surfaces need casters designed for rough surfaces and that offer impact absorption.
• Environmental Considerations: Temperature extremes, humidity, and exposure to corrosive substances can all affect load capacity and should be factored in.

Why Choose Aerol?

Aerol combines advanced engineering, high-quality materials, and rigorous testing to ensure our caster solutions provide the load capacities, durability, and performance required for safely transporting and maneuvering heavy military loads over any surface.

For more information on any Aerol product, contact us or call 888-799-7166 for immediate assistance.