Less Is More With Energy Efficient Castors

Energy efficiency is a buzz word of the 21st Century

. With finite resources in the world and ever increasing consumption, it has become paramount to be aware and to promote efficient products and services. Even our washing machines now have efficiency ratings on them to encourage consumers to purchase the most efficient brands. This philosophy can be applied to world of castors and material handling products. Essentially any trolley or machine can be placed on castors to ease movement. However over time the ease of movement can deteriorate, making the energy required to push the machine on castors even greater. This leads to inefficiencies, and potential health and safety hazards. Ensuring castors and material handling equipment remains energy efficient means maintaining and optimising the castors.

The causes of castors being inefficient could be one of many. The most usual causes are age, over loading, castors configuration, wheels specifications, use of bearings and castors maintenance. In order to ensure the castors you require are the most efficient it is important to consider these variables. As with many products, the older they are, the tendency overtime they become more inefficient. The same is true of castors, as old age affects the surface of the wheel and dents and knocks over time effects the castor housing. Dirt and other particles over time can clog up the castors bearings and eventually old age reduces the rolling efficiency of the castors. Ensuring castors are regularly replaced and are fit for purpose will increase the shelf life and efficiency overtime.

Alongside old age is misuse of the castor overtime. For example over loading the castors can reduce the efficiency, as this puts additional strain on the castors moving parts and can in extreme cases cause castor failure. Castors carrying more weight than they were designed to, will have a massive effect on their efficiency. Allowing a margin of safety when calculating the maximum load you expect the castor to handle will help to improve efficiency. As well as overloading, the positioning and configuration of castors placed on any trolley or piece of machinery can impact rolling efficiencies. The general rule of thumb is the larger the wheel the easier it is to push the castor. The type of castor, for example swivelling or fixed, and its positioning can effect manoeuvrability and in turn efficiency.

Choosing a suitable wheel for your castor has a dramatic effect upon the rolling resistance and efficiency. Rolling resistance or how easily the wheel moves along against the surface is greater in softer tread wheels, such as rubber. Harder tread wheeled castors, such as nylon, have less rolling resistance and can move more easily. This of course is dependent upon the surface upon which the castors operate. So both wheel specification and surface can affect the efficiency of castors. Bearings are often used to help reduce rolling resistance within the castor housing, and there application will make the castors roll more easily. However unmaintained bearings, that are allowed to rust, or are exposed to dirt , will not function properly and adversely effect efficiency. Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider is maintenance of the castors. Lubrication of castors bearings, with grease, will ensure longevity and maintain efficiency. So with expert advice, from a professional castors company, choosing the most optimum castors can ensure the greatest returns in efficiency for your business.

by: Chris Tyril

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