When shopping for castor wheels, picking the right option for your needs should be the priority. The last thing you want is to buy several castor wheels that fail after a few weeks because you did not match them to your requirements. One area you should pay close attention to when purchasing castor wheels is the roll factor. You can only find the right wheels once you understand how certain factors affect castor wheel roll. 

Load

It is arguably the most obvious factor that affects castor wheel roll. Castor wheels can either be heavy-duty, medium-duty, or light-duty. As their name suggests, heavy-duty castor wheels can withstand tonnes of weight without compromising their roll. Most are equipped with a hydraulic system that helps cushion the castor wheel from a load's direct weight. Heavy-duty caster wheels are best suited for work environments, such as warehouses, airports and seaports, where there is constant ferrying of heavy loads. On the other hand, medium and light-duty castor wheels can only accommodate relatively heavy to lightweight loads. It makes them the best option for hospitals, commercial kitchens and construction sites. If you want your castor wheels to roll without a problem, match their recommended weights to your load needs. 

Hardness/Softness of Floor Surface

The surface of your workplace also determines how well castor wheels roll. Surfaces made from hard concrete expose castor wheels to brinelling. It is the wear and tear that castor wheels experience when pressed against a hard surface. Furthermore, castor wheels tend to make a lot of noise when rolling on hard floors, a significant drawback in areas where silence is necessary, such as hospitals. If you are looking for castor wheels that roll on hard floors without a problem, select those made from polyethene. However, if you need castor wheels for carpeted soft flooring, those made from phenolic, cast iron, forged steel or rubber will suffice. They are heavy enough to generate enough traction to roll smoothly on soft flooring. 

Environmental Conditions

Castor wheels designed for outdoor operations must deal with environmental conditions. For instance, rolling standard castor wheels on snow can be problematic. Ideally, castor wheels designed for snowy surfaces are made from rubber for better traction, rather than nylon. Similarly, castor wheels meant highly humid environments, such as textile factories, must be made from a rust-resistant metal. Anything else will render castor wheel useless over time due to corrosion. Therefore, ensure that castor wheels can withstand the harsh environmental conditions they are exposed to.