Castors are wheeled equipment that provide transport in various industries including construction, shopping malls, warehouses and many others. There are a number of castors available, each specialised to meet their specific target market and needs. Therefore, you need to be fully aware of the different factors that may affect the usability of your castor before you order a specialised castor that suits your needs. Below are five important factors to consider before ordering a specialised castor.

1. Type of Load The type of load your castor will be carrying will greatly affect the type of wheels and housing your castor will need. Smaller caster wheels and housings will go well with smaller loads and vice versa. However, this doesn't mean that you'll have very big wheels for bigger loads as this may affect your castor balance, making it hard to use. Also, the weight of your load will have a large impact on the type of housing and castor wheel you'll use. Therefore, make sure to identify your load type first before going into any further details.

2. Wheel Diameter Larger wheels roll more easily as compared to smaller wheels. However, they are much more expensive and prone to damages. Also, larger wheels are likely to make the steering of your castor a bit difficult, especially if you're operating in smooth and sloppy surfaces. Therefore, you need to find the best wheel diameter for your castor, depending on these factors.

3. Swivel Radius You can choose a castor that is fixed or one that allows its wheel to rotate to some angle, whether 1800 or 3600. If you choose one that is rotating, make sure to check its swivel radius. The swivel radius determines how easily your wheels will turn when prompted. 

4. Speed Depending on the usage of your castor, you need to select the speed at which your castor should be operating. For instance, shopping mall castors should move at a slower speed to minimise the chances of collisions and injuries, while warehouse and construction castors should move at a higher speed to increase efficiency. For castors with higher speeds, consider a good precision ball bearing, larger wheels and wheels that are adaptable to your specific terrain. 

5. Other Special Features Further specialisations, such as braking features, motorized castors, different mounting considerations and wheels, can be considered. For instance, if you are operating a motorised castor in a warehouse, you'll need to include braking features to avoid any inconveniences. In addition, the type of environment will greatly determine the material of your wheel e.g. airports' castors will do well with rubber wheels due to their quietness and ease of rolling in smooth surfaces.

In need of a castor? You don't need to settle for a castor which doesn't suit your needs. Order a specialised castor for increased efficiency and ease of use.