Castor wheels are essential for carts and other material-handling structures in the industrial environment. These components allow the workers in the commercial operation to handle substantial loads with ease. Moreover, the wheels ensure the preservation of the floors against the friction which would be generated by dragging your merchandise. Unfortunately, castor wheels can be expensive; obtaining these units is a significant investment. Therefore, you should be diligent in preserving their integrity to limit the need for early replacement. Here are some essential guidelines to help you maintain industrial castor wheels and extend their service.
Lubricate the Wheels
Castor wheels are vulnerable to damage through exposure to frictional force. In simple terms, these units are moving components, and they are installed to support heavy loads during operation. These factors cause the generation of high friction in the wheels and between the fittings. Over time, the resistive force will cause equipment wear and movement malfunction. Therefore, you should lubricate the castor wheels on a regular basis. You should perform this maintenance task according to the schedule recommended by the manufacturer. However, if your industrial cart is often washed or exposed to conditions which cause the loss of grease, you should perform the oiling process more frequently.
Inspect the Fasteners
Multiple fasteners are essential for the installation of castor wheels under industrial carts. If these components sustain damage, the wheels could stop functioning as expected and even detach from the material-handling equipment. As a result, your operation could experience loss of precious merchandise. Also, the worker handling the cart could sustain serious injuries. Therefore, you should inspect the fasteners around the wheels on a regular basis. This practice will ensure that you recognise problems in time and resolve them before an accident. Ideally, you should identify loose bolts, nuts or other fittings and tighten. If you are not using lock washers or nuts, you should install them for better fastener fits.
Replace the Wheels
Castor wheels are resilient and durable, but they are not everlasting products. They are consumable items, so they will eventually reach the end of their lifespan. If you continue using faulty products which are no longer in excellent condition, you will expose employees to danger. Therefore, you should perform regular examinations of the status of the wheels. Check for badly worn and fractured wheels and products without tread. These components should be replaced immediately for better performance. In the future, you should protect your wheels from sudden mechanical shocks, high speeds and overloading because these poor practices accelerate wear.