Blog: 5
Key Features of Stainless Steel Swivel Casters for Wash Down Applications
Many applications
require a stainless steel swivel and rigid caster for wash down industrial
applications. Typically this happens in
food processing facilities, pharmaceutical production, marine equipment,
bakeries, and other clean or corrosive environments. Different cleaners, steam, water, and even
salt water can destroy mild steel casters and certain types of wheel material
in a matter of months. So we employ 5
key features on the stainless steel casters to keep your operation running and
might I say……. Rolling!
(1) Use a high quality #304 stainless steel
swivel and rigid rig that is machined and polished if possible. A typical medium to heavy duty stainless
steel caster will have a double ball raceway with a 5/8” kingpin. The plate is typically a 4” x 4.5” top plate
with slotted 3” x 3” bolt hole spacing and ¼” thick. All the ball bearings in the swivel race to
be stainless steel also to disallow corrosion in the swivel race.
(2) Have raceway seals installed on the upper and
lower swivel raceways. The rubber
raceway seals help keep debris from lodging into the raceway bearings and
creating drag when swiveling. Also when
washing with a high power sprayer they can help prevent direct blasting of the
water or detergent from spraying directly into the race. The seals also help keep food grade grease or
high temp grease packed into the bearings and not as likely to be washed out.
(3) Grease fittings should always be in the
swivel race. This allows maintenance to
provide preventative maintenance on the casters and keep them properly lubed
from the wash down sprays and detergents or salty environment.
(4) Wheel selection is probably the second most
important feature to address. When
selecting a wheel for a stainless steel caster application you need to take
into account the wash down protocol.
Will detergent be used? Will
there be grease, oils, chemicals, cleaners, salt, brine, blood or steam? All of this is good information to know
before selecting the wheel. Wheels can
range in a wide price range. For some
applications a phenolic wheel with stainless steel roller bearings will work
for around $70.00 but in other applications you will need a much more durable
wheel that will withstand more chemicals and cleaners. In this case a solid elastomer polyurethane
wheel with stainless steel precision ball bearings will be better and they run
about $120.00 per swivel caster. Also
always make sure you have a stainless steel or delrin or bronze bearing in
these wheels. Delrin is a solid plastic
bearing that withstands just about every chemical and wash down application. The provide good rollability but not the
best. Stainless steel roller bearings
make for a good ergonomic roll but after time can give out due to long
use. Stainless steel precision ball
bearings are a great option because they are sealed and do not let debris or
chemical or water into the actual bearings.
These can provide long lasting use and are very ergonomic to push.
(5) Accessories for the stainless steel casters
are important also. If you want a brake
for the wheel then the brake mechanism also needs to be stainless steel so it
too will withstand the wash down environment.
Same goes for swivel locks or other accessories.
Let me know if you have
an application for stainless steel casters in your industrial or commercial
material handling applications. We can
help and we keep the very best in stock!
