Equipping your wheeled carts: what you need to know

Carts are actively used in various economic areas - from household to industrial. They are irreplaceable in trade, in warehouses, in the repair, construction, agricultural and communal industries. Practice has shown that each direction requires its own type of cart. Equipment is classified according to various criteria, including the contact layer of the wheels. It is selected depending on the surface on which the trolley is to be operated. It can be asphalt, ceramic tiles, concrete, soil. The integrity of the coating, the degree of its contamination depends on the correct choice. The contact layer of wheels is made of materials:

rubber;
polyurethane;
cast iron;
polyamide and other types of heat-resistant plastic.
When choosing, the technical characteristics of the support attachment are taken into account: its dimensions, diameter, presence or absence of a brake. The material from which the rim is made is taken into account, the estimated working load, temperature regime and the possibility of functioning in an aggressive environment are calculated.

Rubber wheels
Materials for the manufacture of tire tires differ in technical characteristics. This provides variability in their use. The contact layer of the wheels is selected based on the specific properties of the rubber, such as:

Hardness level. The softer and more elastic the rubber, the more comfortable and easier it is to move the carts.
Impact resistance. In some cases, a special type of rubber is required - for heavy loads.
Increased electrical resistance.
No marks on the used surface.
The main component of the rubber used for the trolley wheel tread is the pre-vulcanized rubber. It can be both natural and artificial. The vulcanization process is needed to change the molecular structure of rubber in order to give it rigidity, strength, and heat resistance.

In the manufacture of tires for wheels and rollers, types of rubber are used:

standard;
vulcanized;
thermoplastic.
The type of materials is selected depending on the area of ​​operation of the cart.

Wheels with standard rubber tires: properties and possibilities
The contact surface of wheels and rollers made of standard rubber is used on trolleys for indoor use with rough flooring. It may have irregularities and roughness. A typical example is production shops, certain types of warehouses. They serve for a long time when used in conditions of high humidity and in an aggressive environment with average values, at temperatures from -20 to +50 ° C. One of the positive properties is that they do not leave marks on the flooring.

Wheels with a tread made of standard rubber have a polypropylene rim in the center of the structure. Instead, steel discs can be used, connecting between the fasteners. The latter are usually bolts or rivets. The wheel diameter ranges from 75 to 250 mm. The carrying capacity of the trolley equipped with them reaches 390 kilograms.

Wheels with vulcanized rubber tires
In some types of economic activities, a large carrying capacity is required. For this, vulcanized wheel tires are used on casters. They allow you to move heavy loads on uneven surfaces.

Vulcanized rubber tires are resistant to moisture, corrosion and corrosive environments. When using them, there is a low noise level and a smooth ride. The diameter of such wheels ranges from 80 to 380 mm, and the carrying capacity of the bogie can reach 800 kg.

Wheels with thermoplastic rubber tires
This type of contact surface is intended for flat and smooth floors. Operated in sales areas, medical institutions, hotels, restaurants. The base of the roller contact layer is polypropylene or heat-resistant, reinforced plastic. The main characteristics of the thermoplastic splint:

resistance to aggressive chemical environments;
low noise level when rolling a wheel;
rather wide temperature range for operation: from -20 to +50 ° C.
The range of diameters of wheels with a thermoplastic rubber tread is from 40 to 200 mm. Carrying capacity of trolleys reaches 250 kg.

Two-piece solid rubber wheels
These products are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. With their help, you can move loads of various types with a wide range of weights. For example, such wheels are installed on garbage cans, medical carts and other mobile equipment.

The two-component rubber from which the contact layer is made increases the permeability of the devices being moved. Such rollers allow the carts to run over various obstacles, be they thresholds, uneven floors, steps or potholes. As in the previous examples, the bicomponent rubber contact surface is moisture and chemical resistant. The rim of wheels and rollers is presented in the form of two galvanized discs. Them