Manouevrability
Manoeuvrability of equipment and machinery
Castors must be positioned to meet requirements for the manouevrability and steering of units and machines. A number of different castor arrangements are described below.
Three swivel castors with identical mounting height
Four swivel castors with identical mounting height
Two swivel and fixed castors with identical mounting height
Four fixed castors, with the central castors having a slightly higher mounting height
Two swivel and two fixed castors, with the fixed castors having a slightly higher mounting height
Four swivel castors and two fixed castors identical mounting height
Suitable for small loads and narrow routes. The transport equipment is very easy to move in any direction. The transport equipment is relatively difficult to manouevre when travelling straight. This can be improved by fitting a directional lock to one of the three swivel castors. This castor arrangement can make the transport equipment more susceptible to tipping.
Suitable for narrow routes. The transport
equipment is very easy to move in any direction. The transport equipment is relatively difficult to
manouevre when travelling straight.
Attaching directional
locks to two swivel castors can improve
this situation.
Most common castor arrangement, suitable for towing. The transport equipment is easy to manouevre when cornering and moving in a straight line. The transport equipment is relatively difficult to manouevre in tight spaces. The fixed castor can be replaced with a wheel set, i.e. two wheels on an axle.
Cost-effective castor arrangement. The transport equipment is easy to manouevre when moving in a straight line. Arranging the load over the central fixed castors makes the transport equipment relatively easy to steer and rotate on the spot. This castor arrangement can make the transport equipment more susceptible to tipping and swinging. The central fixed castors can be replaced with a wheel set, i.e. two wheels on an axle.
Suitable for towing. The transport equipment is easy to manouevre when cornering and moving in a straight line and rotates easily on the spot. This castor arrangement can make the transport equipment more susceptible to tipping and swinging. We recommend using swivel castors with spring-loaded castors. The central fixed castors can be replaced with a wheel set, i.e. two wheels on an axle.
Complicated castor arrangement, suitable for towing. The transport equipment is easy to manouevre when cornering and moving in a straight line and rotates easily on the spot. It is particularly well suited for heavy loads and long units. Constant surface contact of the fixed castors is required for manouevrability. The central fixed castors can be replaced with a wheel set, i.e. two wheels on an axle.
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Manouevrability |
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Cornering |
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Stability |
Load capacity |
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Manouevrability |
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When travelling straight |
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Cornering |
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Stability |
Load capacity |
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Manouevrability |
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When travelling straight |
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Cornering |
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Stability |
Load capacity |
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Manouevrability |
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When travelling straight |
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Cornering |
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Stability |
Load capacity |
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Manouevrability |
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When travelling straight |
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Cornering |
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Stability |
Load capacity |
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Manouevrability |
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When travelling straight |
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Cornering |
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Stability |