Low Profile Casters

Low profile casters are useful if your current material transport equipment is too high.  You can usually save anywhere from ½” up to about 2.5” if you change out your current casters.  When you are looking at low profile casters, the most important thing you will need to factor is the load capacity.  The load capacity is the static amount of weight that each wheel can hold.  Keep in mind that the dynamic weight of you load will vary, as you shift and move the cart around.

Using caster wheels with inadequate load capacity is extremely dangerous.  You can purchase low profile casters from the Internet if you are looking for the greatest selection.  You can also check local stores such as Grainger if you are looking for common sizes. 

If you do not know the model of your current caster wheel, you can take a picture and basic measurements.  Things you will need to know include the wheel type (hard, soft rubber), the diameter of the current wheel, along with the total clearance measured from the top of the caster wheel bracket.  You should also note the mounting hole sizes, and the widths for the castor brackets.

You can take this information to a 3^rd party caster wheel dealer, and they can help you find a suitable replacement.  Replacement castors are usually cheaper if you buy them from 3^rd party companies who specialize in casters.  This is a better option often compared to going back to the manufacturer of the original equipment.  This can save you a significant amount of money, as casters are a high markup item.  

If you need to buy a large number of casters, you may also want to buy a single castor first, to make sure that it fits.  This can save you the hassle of having to return incorrect castors.  Castors are heavy and relatively expensive to ship.  You can also ask the castor company if there are 3-d or CAD drawings for the casters.  You can also check KCL cutsheets to see if they may have the diagrams stored online.

Another benefit of using low profile casters is that you lower the center of gravity on the unit.  This is helpful as you minimize the risks of having your goods accidentally fall over.  If you do not know how to purchase new casters, you can also take off your existing caster and mail it into the company.

They can look at your existing wheel, and provide you with their recommendations for an alternate replacement caster wheel(s).