8″ Brass Plated Rigid Pneumatic Caster

FAQ

What are Pneumatic Casters?

Pneumatic casters are industrial casters with air-filled pneumatic tires, designed for low-speed, manually moved applications only. They feature a mounting plate of 4″ x 4 1/2″ and are built to provide a cushioned ride, shock absorption, and quiet operation. These casters are ideal for moving fragile or delicate cargo where overall height isn’t critical, offering excellent performance on rough surfaces like gravel, grass, or sand due to their wide footprint, especially with 8″ or larger tires. They’re also available with a brass color finish on the bracket, with an optional brass finish on the pneumatic wheel hub for an attractive look, perfect for hospitality settings.

What environments and applications work best for Pneumatic Casters?

Pneumatic casters excel outdoors on rough surfaces like gravel, grass, or sand, where their wide footprint (8″ or larger) provides stability without sinking into lawns or soft ground. They’re very popular for marching band equipment, such as drum carts or instrument racks, and other items tugged or pushed on grassy surfaces, as well as sandy environments like beaches or outdoor event setups. They’re also used in hospitals for medical carts, military applications for field equipment carts, scientific and electronic labs, hotels, department stores, TV or movie studios, museums, art galleries, and cleanroom facilities for moving sensitive materials like glass, ceramics, medical equipment, or delicate electronics. The air-filled tires ensure a cushioned ride and shock isolation, perfect for delicate cargo, while the brass finish option enhances aesthetics for hospitality applications like bellhop carts.

What is the load capacity of Pneumatic Casters?

Pneumatic casters have a maximum capacity of 450 lbs with a 12-inch tire, but capacity varies depending on wheel diameter, air pressure, and weight. They’re rated for manual operation on smooth floors with proper tire inflation. Do not use for standing loads at max capacity, as capacity ratings depend on manual movement and correct air pressure.

What wheel sizes are available for Pneumatic Casters?

Pneumatic casters come in 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch diameter wheels, all with air-filled pneumatic tires and ball bearings for smooth rolling. Gray rubber tires, which are non-marking, are available in certain sizes (typically 8-inch and larger) for applications requiring floor protection.

What bearing options are available for Pneumatic Casters?

All pneumatic casters come with ball bearings in the pneumatic wheels, ensuring smooth and quiet operation for low-speed, manually moved applications.

Why choose Pneumatic Casters for delicate or sensitive cargo?

Pneumatic casters with air-filled tires provide unmatched noise absorption and shock isolation, making them the best choice for moving fragile items like glass, ceramics, school band instruments, medical equipment, or delicate electronics. The cushioned ride protects sensitive materials, especially on uneven surfaces like gravel, grass, or sand. Black tires won’t mark floors if the caster rolls properly without sideways dragging, and gray rubber tires, available in certain sizes, are non-marking for critical environments.

How important are gray rubber tires for Pneumatic Casters?

Gray rubber tires, available in certain sizes (typically 8-inch and larger), are non-marking and critical for applications where floor protection is essential, such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, cleanrooms, schools, museums, art galleries, libraries, and pharmaceutical facilities. These tires prevent marks or streaks, maintaining clean and professional floors in sensitive environments while still providing the cushioned ride and shock absorption pneumatic casters are known for. This makes them a top choice for medical and institutional settings where aesthetics and hygiene are priorities.

Why choose the brass finish for Pneumatic Casters?

The brass color finish on the caster bracket, with an optional brass finish on the pneumatic wheel hub, provides an attractive, polished look ideal for the hospitality industry, such as bellhop carts, banquet carts, or luggage carts in hotels, resorts, and event venues. This finish enhances aesthetics while maintaining the durability and performance of pneumatic casters for smooth, cushioned movement in high-visibility settings.

What brake options are available for Pneumatic Casters?

The only braking option for pneumatic casters is the TB – Top Lock Brake (pedal on side of wheel), which locks the wheel from rolling but is not designed to hold on inclines. They also offer an SL4 – Welded Swivel Lock, which converts a swivel caster to rigid for straight-line travel over long distances or ramps, locking only the swivel, not the wheel.

How do I maintain Pneumatic Casters?

Maintain proper tire inflation to ensure rated capacity and performance. Clean off debris after use, especially in outdoor environments like gravel, grass, or sand. Avoid standing loads at max capacity, dragging sideways, or harsh impacts. If maintaining air pressure feels like a chore, consider our Foam Filled Pneumatic Casters or Pneumatic Caster Alternative.

Where can I buy Pneumatic Casters?

Get pneumatic casters from Caster City’s website at www.castercity.com or call 800-501-3808 for assistance. Lead time is typically 2 days for fast delivery.

What’s the difference between swivel and rigid versions of Pneumatic Casters?

Swivel pneumatic casters offer full rotation for easy maneuvering, ideal for navigating tight spaces or delicate cargo like medical or military equipment. Rigid versions don’t swivel, making them better for straight-line travel over long distances or ramps—install them opposite the push handle for better steering. Both use a 4″ x 4 1/2″ mounting plate and are suited for low-speed, manual applications, with an optional brass finish for enhanced aesthetics in hospitality settings.

Are Pneumatic Casters suitable for mechanically powered equipment?

No, pneumatic casters are designed for low-speed, manually moved applications only. For mechanically powered equipment, contact us for alternative recommendations, as these casters aren’t built for towing or heavy abuse.

What is the mounting plate size for Pneumatic Casters?

The mounting plate is 4″ x 4-1/2″, an industry standard. We suggest not drilling mounting holes until you receive the casters, as mounting hardware is not included.

What are the overall heights for Pneumatic Casters with different wheel diameters?

Overall height varies with wheel diameter and air pressure, but approximate heights are: 6-inch wheel: ~7-1/2″; 8-inch wheel: ~9-1/2″; 10-inch wheel: ~11-1/2″; 12-inch wheel: ~13-1/2″. Contact us for precise measurements based on your setup.

What installation tips are there for Pneumatic Casters?

Ensure rigid casters are parallel to each other and swivels are parallel to the floor. Use at least 4 bolts for the 4″ x 4 1/2″ mounting plate, but don’t drill holes until you receive the casters, as mounting hardware isn’t included. Avoid dragging sideways or changing direction abruptly to prevent floor marking with black tires; gray rubber tires are non-marking for sensitive floors.

Are heavy duty pneumatic casters good for curing composites in ovens?

Pneumatic casters aren’t typically recommended for high-heat environments like curing composites in ovens due to their air-filled tires. For oven applications, consider casters with high-temp wheels like those on the SSG15 model instead. Contact us for guidance.

Why are Pneumatic Casters popular for marching band equipment and outdoor use?

Pneumatic casters are very popular for marching band equipment, like drum carts or instrument racks, because their air-filled tires provide a cushioned ride and shock absorption, protecting delicate instruments on grassy fields or sandy surfaces like beaches. The wide footprint of 8″ or larger tires ensures stability and prevents sinking into soft ground, making them ideal for outdoor events or military field equipment carts tugged or pushed manually.

What military applications are Pneumatic Casters used for?

Pneumatic casters are used in military applications for field equipment carts, such as those carrying communication devices, medical supplies, or lightweight tactical gear. Their shock-absorbing pneumatic tires are perfect for rough terrains like gravel, grass, or sand, ensuring smooth, stable movement for manually pushed or tugged carts in field operations.

What hospital applications are Pneumatic Casters suited for?

In hospitals, pneumatic casters are ideal for medical carts carrying sensitive equipment like diagnostic tools, patient monitors, or surgical instruments. The cushioned ride protects delicate cargo, and gray rubber tires (available in 8″ and larger sizes) are non-marking, preventing streaks on hospital floors, which is critical for maintaining a clean and professional environment.

Can Pneumatic Casters be used in sandy environments?

Yes, pneumatic casters are great for sandy environments like beaches or outdoor event setups. Their wide footprint, especially with 8-inch or larger tires, provides excellent stability and prevents sinking into sand, making them perfect for manually moved carts in such conditions.