First, we should assume a scenario, you wanna buy some casters. However, you might be wondering which type of caster is suitable for you. Swivel? Fixed? Top plate? What are the words mean? Also known as top plate casters, they consist of a top plate, axle, and wheel. They don’t have a stem. Rather, the top plate secures the axle and wheel. What are the benefits of top plate casters exactly?
Easy to Install
With their top plate, top plate casters are easy to install. Most top plate casters feature four bolt holes in their top plate. The bolt holes may be straight or slotted. Regardless, you can install top plate casters by positioning them on the bottom of the object, followed by driving bolts through these holes and into the object.
Strong
Top plate casters are strong. Most Top plate casters, in fact, are stronger than threaded-stem casters. Threaded-stem casters don’t have a top plate. As their name suggests, they have a rod-like stem that extends from the center. The stem acts as a bolt by connecting the stem caster to the bottom of the object. But threaded-stem casters only have a single stem, whereas top plate casters typically have four bolts.
Supports Caster Pads
Another reason to consider top plate casters is the support for caster pads. You can use top plate casters by themselves, or you can use them with caster pads. Caster pads are accessories that allow you to swap out casters without fastening or unfastening the casters’ bolts. After welding a set of caster pads on the bottom of the object, you can slide top plate casters into them.
Better Weight Distribution
Top plate casters offer better weight distribution than their stem counterparts. The top plate will cover a greater surface area on the bottom of the object. Therefore, most top plate casters are rated for heavier loads than stem casters. Stem casters are perfectly fine for lightweight objects. For heavier objects, though, you may want to choose plate casters. Top plate casters offer better weight distribution, which allows them to accommodate heavier loads.
Available in a Variety of Styles
You can find top plate casters in a variety of styles. All top plate casters have a top plate. The top plate is typically rectangular or squared and features four bolt holes. Nonetheless, you can find top plate casters in many different styles. There are locking top plate casters, for instance, that feature a locking system, and there are the kingpinless casters that feature a swiveling mechanism without a kingpin assembly.
