Light Duty Caster Parameter Encyclopedia: Selection, Working Principle, Specifications, Usage and Performance Guide

1. Basic Overview of Light Duty Casters

Light duty casters are a category of mobile caster products designed for low to medium load bearing scenarios, with a single wheel load capacity ranging from 10kg to 200kg. They are widely used in scenarios requiring flexible movement and low operating noise, and are generally composed of four core components: caster bracket, bearing assembly, wheel body, and mounting accessories.

2. Working Principle of Light Duty Casters

The operation of light duty casters follows two core functional principles:

• Rotary movement principle: The upper part of the caster bracket is connected to the equipment through the mounting structure, and the built-in ball bearing or plain bearing between the upper and lower brackets realizes 360-degree free steering, ensuring that the caster can adjust the moving direction synchronously when the equipment is pushed.
• Rolling movement principle: The wheel body is fixed on the lower part of the bracket through the axle, and the bearing inside the wheel hub reduces the friction coefficient during rotation, so that the wheel can roll smoothly under the action of thrust, realizing the overall movement of the equipment. Optional brake components can lock the steering function or rolling function of the caster as required to keep the equipment fixed in position.

3. Scientific Selection Criteria for Light Duty Casters

When selecting light duty casters, it is recommended to evaluate from the following dimensions:

• Load capacity calculation: First calculate the total weight of the equipment and the transported goods, then divide by the number of casters installed, multiply by a 1.2 safety factor to get the minimum load capacity required for a single caster, to avoid overloading during use.
• Mounting type selection: Choose according to the equipment structure, common types include top plate mounting, threaded stem mounting, bolt hole mounting, and expanding stem mounting.
• Wheel material selection: Select according to the ground conditions of the use site: PP (polypropylene) wheels are suitable for smooth ground with low cost; TPR (thermoplastic rubber) wheels feature low noise and no damage to the ground, suitable for office and medical scenarios; PU (polyurethane) wheels are wear-resistant and have certain anti-corrosion performance, suitable for logistics and industrial scenarios; nylon wheels have high hardness and good impact resistance, suitable for slightly uneven ground.
• Functional requirement matching: Select products with side brake, total lock brake or no brake according to whether the equipment needs to be fixed after moving, and choose anti-static, high temperature resistant or corrosion resistant special casters for special working conditions.

4. Common Specifications of Light Duty Casters

The following are the general parameter specifications of mainstream light duty caster products on the market:

5. Standard Usage Methods of Light Duty Casters

To extend the service life of light duty casters and ensure use safety, follow the following operating specifications:

• Pre-installation inspection: Before installation, check whether the caster bracket is deformed, whether the bearing rotates smoothly, whether the wheel body is damaged, and confirm that the specification and load capacity match the equipment requirements.
• Installation requirement: Tighten the mounting fasteners according to the standard torque, ensure that the mounting surface is flat, and avoid uneven stress caused by inclined installation.
• Use process specification: The moving speed should not exceed 4km/h, avoid impact caused by violent pushing, and avoid long-term use on uneven ground with sharp obstacles.
• Regular maintenance: Lubricate the steering bearing and wheel hub bearing every 3 to 6 months, clean the debris and winding on the wheel body and axle in time, and replace the casters with obvious wear or loose parts in time.

6. Performance Advantages and Application Scenarios

Light duty casters have obvious performance advantages:

• Light overall weight, will not add excessive additional burden to the equipment;
• Flexible rotation, small steering radius, suitable for operation in narrow spaces;
• Low operating noise, will not cause noise pollution in office, medical and other quiet scenarios;
• Simple installation and low maintenance cost, showing high cost performance for low load scenarios.

Main application scenarios include office furniture, medical trolleys, warehouse picking carts, commodity display racks, small logistics transfer vehicles, kitchen equipment, and small industrial production auxiliary equipment.