So you’ve got yourself some hard-working wheels, but you want to make sure they stay in tip-top shape for a long time to come? Have no fear. Our at-a-glance guide to wheel maintenance is here.

Why:

Our wheels are engineered to stand up to tough conditions and applications. That being said, all casters and wheels should be inspected periodically to ensure optimal performance and extend life expectancy.

How often?

Under normal circumstances and with typical use:

• Every 3 to 6 months

In harsh environments or more demanding applications:

• Under 3 months

Sporadic use:

• Between 6 to 12 months

How:

Clean foreign debris, direct and grime from wheels

Inspect for proper operation

Check wear and tear

Replace if any of the following occurs:

• Wear exceeds more than 1/8” from the original wheel profile
• Signs of wheel delaminaton (layer separation)
• Cuts and tears in the wheel’s tread are prohibiting proper wheel operation
• Cracks in the wheel’s core

Check wheel axle

Replace if any of the following occurs:

• Signs that axle has been rotating
• Galling or thread damage at either end of axle (prevents proper wheel bearing loading)

Check wheel bearings. Replace if any of the following occurs:

• Dry, caked lubricant in bearing or internal wheel cavity
• Metal flakes/particles in lubricant, bearings, or internal wheel cavity
• Noticeable wear on any bearing surface
• Deformation of the bearing cage
• Spalling (flaking away) of bearing material on raceways or individual bearing rollers
• Obvious surface imperfections on rollers or raceways
• Dropped bearing

Grease your wheels:

• We use Interlube Super White 1910 FG-2 to lubricate casters and wheels. Specifications can be found here.
• Always use the same grease to prevent compatibility issues (this can happen even if you use grease in the same family from a different manufacturer)
• When making a change, always fully purge the old grease and cut lubrication time in half for the next three to four scheduled lubrication periods to prevent any residual grease buildup
• Use light lubrication oil on other moving parts not lubricated through grease

 

Time is money. With a little preventative wheel maintenance, you can easily protect your investment and keep your wheels riding strong for the long haul.

 

Original Source: https://www.hamiltoncaster.com/

 

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Manufactured casters and wheels right here in North America. For more information about Midwest Caster capabilities, visit us our website, send us an email or call us at 888.403.2800.