Brakes, Locks, Bearings, Bumpers, and More
Most people shop for the wheel and stop there. But the small parts around it can decide whether a caster rolls easily, stops where you want it, or lasts in a tough environment.
That’s what this guide is for: a quick look at the accessories and options you might not know exist.
Our Industry Is Not a New One
Because the caster industry has been around for a long time, there are likely more options available than you’d expect. For some styles of casters there are rings that help push cords away from being run over in an operating room environment. There are also position locks for many models of casters. They help you maneuver something in a tight spot, then change to help guide it when you’re moving a distance and need direction control.
Brakes and Locks: Know the Difference
“Brake” gets used for several different things, and they don’t all do the same job:
- Wheel brake — stops the wheel from rolling. The most common style.
- Total lock — locks the wheel and the swivel together, so the caster can’t roll or turn. Common in medical equipment, where the equipment has to stay put.
- Directional (swivel) lock — locks only the swivel, so the wheel still rolls but tracks straight. Handy when a cart needs to be pushed in a line.
- Floor lock — presses a pad onto the floor, often from one easy-to-reach pedal. It can sometimes be used with certain models of casters, and it’s a true stopper when you need solid stillness.
One safety note: standard caster brakes are designed to hold equipment on flat surfaces. They shouldn’t be relied on to stop a loaded cart on a slope.
Not sure which stopping option fits your equipment? Ask a Casterland specialist and they’ll help you choose.
Bearings: Small Part, Big Difference
For wheels, in addition to choosing the right material, the bearing often makes all the difference in the world. Different quality levels of bearings are often available, and the right one can make something move much easier.
Wheels are your contact with the floor, which also makes them vulnerable to picking up debris. Choosing a sealed bearing can give the wheel a longer life.
Bumpers, Bushings, and Axles
A wide array of corner bumpers, handle bumpers, and strip bumpers can come in handy when circumstances call for them.
Wet or corrosive environments may call for different hardware materials. For those, Casterland carries:
- Delrin bushings and bearings
- Stainless bearings, bushings, and axles
- Vulca seals to help keep the wheels rolling
A Quick Summary
| Accessory | What it helps with |
|---|---|
| Cord rings | Pushing cords out of the path of the wheel, as in an operating room environment. |
| Position locks | Maneuvering in a tight spot, then guiding the caster when you’re moving a distance. |
| Total and directional locks | Keeping a caster from rolling or turning, or keeping it tracking straight. |
| Bearings | Easier rolling. A sealed bearing gives the wheel a longer life. |
| Floor locks | Solid stillness, when you need the equipment to stay put. |
| Bumpers | Corner, handle, and strip bumpers for when the circumstances call for them. |
| Delrin and stainless hardware, Vulca seals | Wet or corrosive environments. |
Ready to Find Yours?
Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Let one of Casterland’s specialists share what they’ve seen, heard, and experienced in all their years of helping millions of customers. Casterland and its sister brand, Caster Town, can help you find the accessory that makes your caster work harder for you. Browse caster hardware, bumpers, and bearings at casterland.com/collections/hardware, or reach out to the team directly.
