How to Choose the Right Caster Brake Type?

Choosing a caster brake type requires considering the equipment's load capacity, usage scenario, and operational requirements to ensure braking stability and convenience. Here's how to choose:

1. Identify the Core Brake Type Characteristics

Common brake types each have their advantages and disadvantages:

Side brakes: Lock only the wheel's rolling motion, not its steering. This offers a simple, low-cost design, but offers reduced stability and is suitable for light loads.

Full brakes: Lock both wheel rolling and steering, providing comprehensive and stable braking. However, this design is complex, expensive, and requires precise adjustment.

Dual brakes: Independently control rolling and steering locks, allowing for flexible switching between modes. This operation is slightly more complex and suitable for frequent adjustments.

Pedal brakes: Foot-activated braking eliminates the need for bending and offers efficient operation. Suitable for frequent starts and stops, but requires careful attention to rust prevention.

2. Matching by Equipment Load

For light equipment (each wheel <50 kg), such as office chairs or display stands, side brakes or basic foot brakes are sufficient. This type of equipment has a low load capacity and low-cost side brakes, while foot-operated brakes are more convenient for daily, lightweight operation.

For medium-sized equipment (50-300 kg), such as medical carts and warehouse transfer carts, full brakes or dual brakes are preferred. Full brakes prevent the equipment from sliding and turning, ensuring stable parking; dual brakes are suitable for situations where temporary minor adjustments are required.

For heavy equipment (>300 kg), such as industrial cabinets and heavy-duty racks, high-strength full brakes or customized dual brakes are essential. Heavy loads require strong braking, and full brakes ensure safety through thickened brake pads and metal locking structures. Rust-resistant materials are recommended.

3. Specific Specific Applications

For high-frequency operation scenarios, such as workshop material carts, foot-operated full brakes are recommended for quick braking without bending over. A foot pedal area of ≥5 cm² is required to prevent slipping.

For scenarios requiring high stability, such as precision instrument carts, full brakes combined with anti-slip brake pads (rubber/PU, with a coefficient of friction >0.8) are recommended to prevent slipping on slippery surfaces. For humid/greasy environments, such as food processing plants, choose rust-resistant full brakes with modified PU brake pads to prevent brake failure caused by oil contamination.

For quiet environments, such as hospital wards, choose full brakes with soft brake pads (rubber/silicone), which achieve braking noise levels below 50 decibels.

In summary, for light loads, choose side brakes/basic pedals, and for medium and heavy loads, choose full brakes/dual brakes. Choosing the operating method and material based on the specific application will ensure safe and efficient braking.