As the efficiency of a hand-operated transport device predominantly depends on its wheel type, fetra has various tyres for the most common applications in its standard range and provides advice on choosing the right castor.
fetra’s transport solutions for in-house logistics are designed to make work easier for users and to optimise processes. “Most of our table-top carts, box carts, shelved trolleys etc. come with both swivel and fixed castors, including TPE wheels and deep groove ball bearings as standard”, says Ralf Brömmelsiek, Technical Manager at fetra. “While this is suitable for a wide variety of applications, you should always look at the type of surface over which the transport device is moved, whether it is used indoors or outdoors, how much weight it must carry, whether the environment has special requirements and so on.” These criteria are decisive when it comes to selecting the best wheel set-up, which can be configured individually for each fetra transport device.
One tyre with many benefits is the fetra TPE castor made of thermoplastic elastomer. The odourless material keeps the smooth-running castor stable, even if the transport equipment and its load are parked for a long time. Due to its tough material, it can easily withstand load capacities of up to 250 kg per castor, depending on the size. It is ideal for surfaces in industrial halls, laboratories, etc. because it runs without leaving any tracks and unsightly discolouration on the floor. For uneven surfaces, it is advisable to choose solid rubber or elastic tyres. If the wheels come into contact with aggressive agents such as alkaline liquids, disinfectants or other chemical substances, the trolley should be fitted with polyurethane or polyamide castors.
fetra products are only available from specialist dealers. To enable them to give their customers the best possible advice, fetra has set up a test track at its in-house competence centre. “Our test track features different floor types such as cobblestones, tiles or a sisal coconut mat where our specialist dealers can test which wheel set-up works best for the customer’s requirements,” says Markus Rehm, Field Service Sales Manager.