Quick Caster Tutorial - Caster Brake Types

Casters 101: A Quick Tutorial: Brake Types

Chapter 4 of the Apollo Caster learning guide. Keep in mind, you can always call for assistance.

Tutorial Chapters:

Lesson 4: Caster Brakes

Several styles of brakes are available. Read on to see what might be best for your situation. This dicussion is relevant to single-wheel casters.
Click image to browse these products.	Thumb Screw Brakes Used with small (2" or 3") dual-wheel or log (wide wheel) casters. Economical and best used with brakes are not frequently engaged or disengaged.
	Cam or Friction Brakes Engaging the brake moves a cam and tightens the caster rig against the wheel creating friction. Generally less effective than a top lock brake but has its place with very hard wheels such as steel or cast iron where tread brakes have a harder surface to engage and immobilize. Fewer parts making it more economically priced.
Click image to browse these products.	Top Lock (tread lock) Brake Engaging the pedal, moves a cam and lever, which makes direct contact with the top tread of the wheel. Very common and effective, particularly with softer wheels such as rubber, TPR, polyurethane, and phenolic.
Click image to browse these products.	Pedal Style Wheel Brake Pedal style brake may lock the wheel only, the direction only and often both. When it locks both, it is referred to as 'Total Lock' which is discussed below. Not available on all casters: most common on mid-size (3x1 through 6x1-1/4) casters. Rarely available on rigid casters.
Click image to browse these products.	Face Contact Brake Generally used for larger (2" wide or larger) casters. Design provides for firmer contact with wheel face. Two-pedal brake allows for easier disengagement.
Click image to browse these products.	Total Locking Brake Single action mechanism locks both the wheel and the swivel for complete immobilization. Not available on all casters: most common on mid-size (3x1 through 6x2) casters. Swivel radius increases due to the brake pedal.
Click image to browse these products.	Position Lock Brake Spring loaded key can be engaged to lock the swivel caster into any 90-degree position. Very useful for manuevering a heavy application into a tight spot with one person. Economical and one of the most under-rated caster options available. Generally available on larger (2" wide or larger) casters.
Click image to browse these products.	Direction Lock Brake Similar to the Position Lock brake shown above, this locks the swivel, effectively converting the swivel caster into a rigid caster. Very useful for manuevering a heavy application into a tight spot with one person. Locks the swivel at any position. Available with medium duty (1-1/4" wide) casters.
Click image to browse these products.	Compression and Decompression brakes Compression brakes: Brakes engage when weight is place on caster. Decompression brakes: Brakes are normally engaged and released when weight is placed on casters. Available on twin-wheel casters.