Why do the wheels of the equipment seem to be “flattened” after being parked for a long time? Don’t ignore the permanent deformation caused by wheel compression.
Some devices do not move much during normal times, and when they are parked for a long time and pushed again, there will be obvious periodic bumps: when the wheels turn to a certain position, it feels like crossing a small hurdle. Check that there is no problem with the ground and the wheel surface is not stuck by foreign objects. At this point, pay attention to a phenomenon that is easily overlooked – the wheel surface has undergone permanent compression deformation after continuous compression. It is similar to the commonly referred to “flat point” performance, but it involves various factors such as the elastic recovery of the wheel surface material, long-term load, temperature, and parking method.
1. What is compression permanent deformation?
The elastic wheel surface undergoes certain deformation when subjected to load, which is the basis for material damping vibration and ground protection. But after unloading, the ideal state is that the wheel surface can be fully restored to its original state. If the material cannot fully recover after long-term compression, there may be sustained deformation at the stress location. When the device moves again, the wheels pass through this position every time they turn, creating a regular sense of undulation.
2. Why is long-term parking more likely to expose problems?
The force position of the moving casters will constantly change with the rotation of the wheels; When left idle for a long time, the weight continues to concentrate in the same area of the wheel surface. The longer the parking time and the higher the actual load on a single wheel, the more obvious the test of material recovery ability will be. If the equipment itself is heavy and does not move for a long time, the local compression state of the wheel surface will be more worthy of attention than that of daily turnover vehicles.
3. Soft materials do not necessarily mean they are more prone to problems
The softness and hardness of the wheel surface can affect the degree of deformation, but it cannot be simply understood as’ soft wheels will definitely flatten, hard wheels will definitely not ‘. The rebound, heat resistance, and long-term compression performance of different material systems are not the same, and the same material may also vary due to its formula, structure, and manufacturing process. If only the hardness value is compared when selecting, and whether the equipment has been idle for a long time is ignored, it may miss the truly important working conditions.
4. Environmental temperature can also change material performance
The mechanical properties of wheel surface materials are affected by environmental temperature. If the equipment is parked in a high-temperature area, close to a heat source, or undergoes significant changes in temperature, the elastic recovery performance of the wheel surface may be different from that in a normal temperature environment. Therefore, when using elastic wheels in drying areas, hot processing areas, or high-temperature storage environments in summer, procurement communication should clearly explain the actual temperature conditions.
5. Periodic jolts occur, don’t rush to replace the bearings for now
If there is regular vibration after the device is reactivated, you can first clean the wheel surface and safely lift the device, slowly rotate the wheels one by one, and observe whether there are local depressions, deformations, or roundness on the wheel surface. Recheck if the bearings, axles, and brackets are smooth. If the wheel rotates normally in suspension, but after landing and bearing, there is a fixed rhythm of undulations every revolution, the deformation caused by long-term compression of the wheel surface is worth investigating.
6. Long term parking equipment requires a different approach to wheel selection
For equipment such as tool cabinets, spare equipment, mold trucks, and heavy-duty platforms that stop more and move less, the selection cannot be based solely on the load-bearing requirements during movement. In addition to the rated load capacity, attention should also be paid to the long-term static state, the recovery ability of the wheel surface material, ground protection requirements, and how often the equipment moves. Some scenarios are even more suitable for supporting feet, adjusting feet, or other structures to carry the load of the wheels during long-term parking.
7. Using management can also reduce long-term stress risks
If the equipment allows, the parking position can be changed regularly to change the force points on the wheel surface; Heavy equipment that is not used for a long time can also be supported with additional support according to the equipment structure and safety requirements. It should be emphasized that do not arbitrarily heat, tap, or grind the wheel surface in order to restore it, as these practices may damage the material and structure and instead bring new safety hazards.
Write it at the end
The usability of casters depends not only on whether they are light to push, but also on whether they can maintain a stable rolling state after long-term standing. The permanent deformation of wheel surface compression reminds us that when choosing casters, the “how to stop” and “how to move” of the equipment are equally important. Providing suppliers with advance information on parking time, load capacity, and ambient temperature is often more valuable than simply pursuing higher load capacity numbers.
For more professional guidance, please feel free to contact GLOBE team!
Post time: Sep-02-2026
