Loose wheel with PC hub and PUR tread

Loose wheel in PUR with hub in PC

This is a small loose wheel with a tread in polyurethane and a hub in polycarbonate, built for light equipment and fittings where you want a quiet and gentle run on a compact diameter. The wheel is meant for low loads and indoor use, and the combination of a soft running surface and a stiff plastic hub keeps both weight and noise down.

The polyurethane tread gives the wheel its character. Polyurethane rolls easily in relation to how soft it is, it spares the floor and it runs quietly, while it grips well and takes abrasion. On a small wheel like this one it shows as a calm run that does not rattle and does not scratch lacquered or ground surfaces. The material also resists most oils, greases and mild chemicals, which is good under equipment that can be exposed to spills.

Since the wheel is small and the load is low, starting and rolling resistance are rarely a problem, but the polyurethane still helps: the tread settles easily against the surface and gets going without you having to put in force. That makes the wheel pleasant on equipment moved by hand, for example an equipment cart or a smaller fitting.

A comparison puts the wheel in context. A hard plastic wheel of the same size rolls slightly more easily but rattles more, grips less well and can scratch sensitive floors. A soft rubber wheel runs even more quietly and damps more, but can leave marks and takes less load. The polyurethane tread sits between these and gives a good balance between quiet running, floor care and toughness for light equipment.

The hub is in polycarbonate, a stiff and impact-resistant plastic that holds the shape of the wheel and gives a light, corrosion-free body. Inside sits a plain bearing, a simple and maintenance-free solution that takes dust and damp and needs no attention. The plain bearing gives slightly higher rolling resistance than a ball bearing, but on a small and lightly loaded roller that matters little and in return it keeps the design unbothered by dirt.

The wheel has a diameter of 75 mm and handles loads up to 55 kg per wheel. The small diameter keeps the overall height low, which suits equipment where there is no room for a big roller. Since this is a loose wheel it is supplied without a bracket and mounted straight onto its own axle through the hub, which makes it easy to build into a chassis of your own.

Where does it fit? PUR with a PC hub sits under light equipment carts, instruments, fittings, displays and smaller furniture where you want to move things quietly without damaging the floor. The corrosion-free body makes the wheel useful in slightly damp spaces as well. On tile, parquet and lacquered concrete the polyurethane tread gives a soft and gentle run.

Think about the operating environment. Polyurethane and polycarbonate are happy at normal indoor temperature and in dry to slightly damp surroundings. The wheel is made for light loads, so do not load it beyond its 55 kg. If it stands still for a long time under load, the tread can take a temporary flat spot that rolls out after a while; that is normal for elastic materials.

Do you want to know whether a small PUR wheel is enough for your equipment or fitting, or whether you need a larger diameter? Get in touch and we will go through weight and floor together.