Air Filled Pneumatic WheelsAir filled pneumatic wheels provide a cushioned ride, shock absorption and quiet operation. Pneumatic wheels are ideally suited for moving fragile or delicate cargo. Pneumatic wheels are usually the best choice for use outdoors over rough surfaces ( i.e. gravel ) or on grass. The wide footprint on 8" or larger pneumatic wheels provides stability on gravel and does not sink into lawns. Pneumatic wheels with black tires do not mark the floor as long as the wheel is allowed to roll. Changing directions without allowing a swivel caster to turn gradually around, or dragging a black rubber wheel sideways, can mark some floors.
Foam Filled Pneumatic WheelsFoam Filled Pneumatic Wheels have NO air in the tires, thus eliminating the possibility of the wheels ever going flat. Foam Filled wheels do NOT have any resilience. They provide the same traction and wide footprint of air filled wheels which enables them to roll on grass, dirt and over small pebbles. Foam Filled Pneumatic Wheels have a higher initial cost than Air Filled Pneumatic Wheels. However, over time, they may prove to cost less because they last longer and avoid down time due to loss of air. Since people tend to load equipment only to the weight they can move easily, Foam Filled Pneumatic Wheels can lead to higher productivity because they require less effort to move than pneumatics that are under inflated.
Semi-Pneumatic WheelsSemi-Pneumatic wheels have an extra thick solid soft rubber tire on an industrial plastic wheel center. The absence of air in the tire eliminates the risk of a flat tire. Although less resilient than full pneumatics, semi-pneumatic wheels help to reduce the vibration and shock caused by floor surfaces which are not smooth. Semi-pneumatic wheels should not be used on sand or gravel but can be used on other surfaces including grass. The footprint of semi-pneumatic wheels is slightly less than a fill pneumatic but the capacity of semi-pneumatics is greater. All black, soft rubber tires contain carbon black and therefore they can make black marks on the floor if the wheel is dragged instead of allowed to roll. The 8" x 2 1/2" Semi-Pneumatic wheel is available in a caster for power towed applications. Consult us for a recommendation.
Super Cushion Rubber WheelsSUPER CUSHION rubber caster wheels provide a cushioned ride, shock absorption and quiet operation. They can be used outdoors on grass or dirt but are not recommended for use on gravel or sand. Super cushion rubber wheels are nearly as resilient as pneumatic wheels with none of the maintenance problems associated with air filled wheels. The absence of air in the tire eliminates the risk of a flat tire. SUPER CUSHION rubber caster wheels are known for their noise absorption and shock isolation. They have an extra resilient soft rubber tread bonded to a thick aluminum wheel center. They are especially popular for use in Hospitals, Scientific and Electronic Laboratories, Department Stores, Hotels, TV and Movie Studios - wherever noise and vibration should be eliminated. They are ideally suited for moving fragile or delicate cargo. This Super Cushion rubber wheel is featured in our Caster Model 9. We recommend the casters with gray soft rubber tires because they are a non-marking material.