Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
A caster is a wheel attached to the bottom of an object that allows it to move. Office chairs and hospital gurneys are two kinds of furniture with casters.
It’s important to know there are different types of casters. There are swivel casters that move in all directions, and industrial casters are robust enough to carry heavier loads.
Today, though, we’re here to talk about locking casters. In simplified terms, locking casters are casters that you can immobilize. But what advantages do locking casters have over others?
We will go over a few tips and talk about locking caster advantages. Keep on reading if you want to know the rest of what goes on in this locking caster guide.
Table of Contents
What Are Locking Casters?
As mentioned earlier, locking casters keep wheels stationary. You can toggle the lock mechanism to keep carts and chairs from rolling off and wheels from swiveling. To specify, there are four types of locking casters:
- Locking furniture casters: mainly used on office and home furniture
- Plate mount locking casters: used both indoors and outside
- Locking dolly casters: the most varied among locking casters
- Locking stem mount casters: often found on foodservice furniture
A locking caster guide wouldn’t be complete without describing how each locks works, though. We will talk briefly about each type of caster lock in more detail.
Moving furniture is convenient, and so is keeping it in place. Locking furniture casters are the smallest of the bunch and activate by pressing a built-in pad on the wheel.
Plate mount caster locks are part of wheels attached to objects by metal plates. You use the lock by pressing the lock switch jutting from the wheel cover.
There are various types of locking dolly casters, but they all have in common their lock mechanisms. Dolly casters lock the wheel well instead of the wheel itself.
The final type of locking casters is locking stems. Locking stem mount casters also have wheel well locks, but these side locks keep the wheels moving.
If you’re curious and want to check out some locking casters for yourself, check out https://www.shoplinco.com/heavy-duty-casters. You’ll have your pick of all four types of locks and can choose depending on your situation.
Locking Casters Vs. Floor Locks
One of the most important locking caster tips we can provide is to know the difference between locking casters and floor locks. We’ve already talked about locking casters, so let’s discuss floor locks for a bit.
A floor lock is a mechanized tool that keeps trolleys and other wheeled items in place. Floor locks connect to trolleys by mounting plates. Once attached, press down the extension piece to press the friction pad into the floor.
The pad takes some weight from the trolley and transfers it to the floor. Friction from the trolley weight pressing against the floor keeps the cart in place.
Another tip we’ve got is knowing when you need a floor lock vs. a locking caster. Floor locks are better in situations when you’re on uneven ground. A locking caster is best when you don’t want your (light) item moving away.
Do You Need a Handy Locking Caster Guide?
Locking caster advantages depend on the kind of caster you need. Locking casters, for example, keeps your furniture from moving around your home from the slightest bump.
Generally, though, a locking caster’s best feature keeps objects from moving. If you need other helpful articles, check out the rest of our blog for more helpful tips and tricks.
Read more: Your One-Stop Price Guide to TV Mounting and Installation
