A stainless steel container is heavier than a resin container. If the container contains contents or is made to withstand pressure, it will be much heavier.
In such stainless containers, it is common to move by using a cart or attaching caster legs.
But isn’t it a little irritating when casters don’t move the way you want them to?
In fact, there are several different types of casters on the basis of their movement, and the workability can be improved greatly by selecting them according to different usages.
This article explains the combination and arrangement of “Flexible Casters” and “Fixed Casters” among various types of casters according to the usage.
Content
- This is annoying! The reason why casters don’t work well
- 2 different types of casters: flexible casters and fixed casters
- Things you need to consider to choose casters appropriately: mobility, convenience of going straight, weight of objects to be carried
What are "flexible casters" and "fixed casters" in the first place?
Flexible Caster
A caster that can rotate 360 degrees and move in various directions.
Flexible casters are used for shopping carts in general supermarkets and chairs with casters.
Almost all our company’s dollies and containers with legs use flexible casters.
Fixed caster
Caster with fixed direction of travel.
There is also a type that uses two fixed casters on the handle side.
In addition, it is also possible to change the casters of containers with caster legs and carts to fixed casters.
Caster arrangement and combination by different performance
We will explain the four cases of casters based on the following three items: “Mobility (easy to turn and easy to change direction)”, “Easy of going straight”, and “Weight of carrying object”.
All Free Casters
Mobility :★★★ Ease of going straight: ★ For light goods
This is the most flexible combination we would like to introduce.
The ability to turn immediately and freely is ideal for moving in tight spaces or for frequent turns.
Almost all our company’s dollies and containers with legs are using this combination.
However, at the beginning of the movement, it is not stable until all four casters are aligned.
Especially in the case of a container with a heavy lid like a pressurized container, there is a risk of falling down.
In addition, it is difficult to keep going straight, and the combination is easy to shake left and right.
2 fixed Casters in the front + 2 Free Casters in the back
Mobility :★★ Ease of going straight :★★ For Light object
Fixed casters can be attached to the front (push) side for smooth turning while moving.
The movement is more stable with fixed casters than with universal casters.
However, it requires a lot more force to change direction compared to the case where the flexible caster is placed in front.
Good to move lightweight material.
2 free casters in the front and two lock casters in the back
Mobility :★★ Ease of going straight :★★ For heavy objects
Flexible casters can be attached to the front (push) side for easier turning with less force than when fixed casters are attached to the front.
In addition, as in the case where the fixed caster is in front, the movement is more stable than when the universal caster is used in all cases.
It is suitable for heavy objects, but the center of rotation is the midpoint between the fixed casters (= opposite side of the person pushing), so a large space is required for turning while moving.
Other Common Problems with Carts and Caster Legs
▶ “When putting the container on the dolly, it is hard to lift it because of the contents …”
We recommend a sliding-type dolly that can be placed without lifting the container too high.
▶ “If the caster leg can be attached and detached, the cleaning will be easier …”
We recommend a container with a stand where you can put on and take off the container and stand according to the process.
▶ “It’s hard to bend down to push the cart …”
We recommend a cart with a handle that you can move without bending your waist.
