Loose wheel with PP hub and rubber tread

Loose wheel in rubber with hub in PP

This is a loose wheel with a tread in rubber and a hub in polypropylene, a light and affordable combination for internal transport where quiet running and gentleness weigh more than maximum load. The tread has a hardness of around 85 degrees Shore A, that is a soft and elastic rubber which gives a calm, damped run and a good grip on the floor.

How does the tread behave in service? The soft rubber settles against the floor and takes up shocks and vibration, so the wheel rolls quietly and comfortably even where the floor is not completely even. The grip is good, so the wheel does not slide away on slippery surfaces. The rolling resistance is somewhat higher than on a hard wheel, because the soft tread deforms under load, but that damping is exactly the point: the cart rolls smoothly and the goods shake less. Over joints and small thresholds the difference against a stiff wheel is clear.

A short comparison puts the wheel in context. A hard plastic wheel in nylon rolls more easily and carries considerably more, but it is noisy and can scratch sensitive floors. An even softer wheel damps more but gives way and rolls more sluggishly. The rubber tread at 85 Shore A sits in a practical middle ground for light and medium duty carts where comfort and a low noise level come first.

The hub in polypropylene keeps the weight and the cost down and is free from corrosion as well, which is an advantage in damp spaces where a steel part can rust. Polypropylene carries load well for its weight, even if it does not reach as high as a cast iron or steel hub. You can pick the bearing to match the use: a plain bearing is simple, maintenance free and tolerates dirt and wet, while a roller bearing handles higher radial load and gives a steadier run under heavier load. The wheel carries up to 295 kg depending on size and version.

The wheels come in diameters from 80 to 250 mm. A larger diameter rolls more easily over joints and thresholds and lowers the rolling resistance, while a smaller one keeps the overall height down on low carts and in tight spaces. Since the wheel is supplied without a bracket, it is mounted straight onto an axle of your own through the hub, which suits both your own designs and the replacement of worn wheels.

Where does it fit? The rubber wheel with a PP hub often sits under serving carts, laundry carts, lighter transport carts and equipment in premises where nobody wants to hear the wheels. The corrosion free combination makes it suitable in kitchens, laundry rooms and wet areas and in surroundings that are hosed down regularly. The soft tread is kind to painted and glossy floors.

Think about the operating environment. The wheel is made for indoor use at normal temperature. Polypropylene tolerates wet and many cleaning agents but should not be exposed to strong heat. Soft rubber can take a temporary flat spot under a long standing load that rolls out after a while, and dark rubber can in some cases leave marks on really light floors.

Do you want to know which diameter, bearing type and load capacity suit your cart? Get in touch and we will go through the load and the floor together.