"The cart is hard to push" usually is not caused by the weight of the load alone — the bearings inside the wheel matter too. Choose the right bearing and your cart will roll much more smoothly and easily.
Bearings Used in Caster Wheels
- Ball bearing: rolls smoothly with little effort, suitable for general to heavy-duty work, and the most popular choice
- Double (dual) bearing: two bearings share the load, handling heavy loads and resisting wobble better
- Brass/plastic plain bush: low cost and dust tolerant, but has more drag and is harder to push; suitable for light work
| Type | Smoothness | Load capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Double bearing | Very smooth | High |
| Ball bearing | Smooth | High |
| Plain bush | Drag | Low–medium |
Recommended: for factory work where heavy loads are pushed every day, choose wheels with double bearings — they push more easily and last longer over time
Keep Them Rolling Smoothly
- Regularly remove thread or plastic scraps wrapped around the axle
- Grease bearings with grease nipples at regular intervals
- Avoid spraying high-pressure water directly into the axle if the bearings are not sealed
Summary
Bearings are the heart of an "easy push". Choose good-quality ball or double bearings and maintain them on schedule, and your staff will work more comfortably while the wheels last longer.