Crane wheels can be the weakest part of any crane set-up, whether it’s those on the crane bogie or any fitted to a moving component such as the boom, turntable or jib. Each carries the weight of the crane and any load suspended from it, and so is often put under great pressure.
It follows, therefore, that a crane wheel is a crucial component that, if it fails, can render the whole crane inoperable until it’s repaired or replaced. Consequently, it’s important the strongest and highest quality wheels are always fitted in order to make the crane operate as reliably as possible.
The strength of a crane wheel comes from the materials used and the way those materials are treated. Depending on the particular requirement, we use best quality alloys or either low-carbon or medium-carbon steel that is heat treated to enhance its hardness. The overall strength is also increased by producing forged rather than cast wheels, which have greater tensile and fatigue strength as a result of a refined grain pattern and reduced metallurgical defects.
Higher carbon content generally results in an increased potential for hardness although improvements in heat treatment technology mean that wheels made from medium-carbon steel are much harder than previously. This hardness is crucial at the point where the wheel’s tread comes in contact with the rail since wear is reduced and the life of the crane wheel is extended.
It is important, however, that wheels are not made too hard since this can result in brittleness and cause a wheel to crack if it comes in contact with a misaligned or otherwise defective rail. Additionally, the top and outer part of a wheel flange require some flexibility rather than being too hard so that they bend instead of breaking when affected by a sideways force such as a misaligned rail. The inner part of the wheel flange, on the other hand, should have the same hardness and depth as the tread to ensure maximum wheel life.
It’s fairly obvious that producing crane wheels properly isn’t a simple process and you need to buy from a company that understands the importance of using the best materials and processing them correctly. Failure to do so can result in premature wear and replacement, increased downtime and a hit to your productivity.
At Richmond Wheel & Castor Company, we’ve been helping businesses move and handle goods for sixty years. We know the importance of having durable and reliable crane wheels and, more importantly, we know how to produce them consistently. We can provide crane wheels with a double flange, single flange or a girder trolley configuration with a stub axle. They can be produced machine geared for driven applications or without for idler/hand push applications.
We make everything we supply so can provide exactly what you need every time and have the capacity to custom engineer crane wheels to your requirements. You can be assured of high quality products that won’t let you down and, with the expertise we’ve built up over the years, we can provide trusted advice and can custom make wheels suitable for any situation. Get in touch, and your crane wheel will be the most reliable part of the structure rather than potentially being the weakest link.
If you’re having difficulty moving and handling goods, Richmond Wheel and Castor Co is guaranteed to have the solution for you! No one else has over 60 years of experience in the design, manufacture and supply of high-quality crane wheels like the family run company of Richmond. We have an extensive range of products across our eight showrooms but if you can’t find the perfect solution, we’ll assist with the design and manufacture to keep you rolling smoothly.
Big, small, local or global, being able to safely transport and handle goods is vital to the operation of your business which is why we aim to go above and beyond your expectations every single time you purchase from us. Only the best quality products leave manufacturing and make it into our stores for you to see. If you need a product that is reliable, functional and robust, trust Richmond to help you find the ideal solution.
Crane wheels are put under a tremendous amount of pressure from the crane set up itself and the load that is being transported. Therefore, the wheel is arguably the most important part of the crane. If it were to fail, the entire system would be out of operation. Here at Richmond, our extensive knowledge and experience allow us to understand what it takes to make an incredibly strong and reliable crane wheel. It all comes down to the materials we use and how they’re treated during the manufacturing process. We only use the very best materials and apply tried and tested methods in order to design and manufacture crane wheels that you can rely on time and time again. We do everything we can to ensure that our crane wheels stand the test of time so your business can keep running smoothly.
Producing the perfect crane wheel is more complex than you might think. When looking at the carbon density of steel to ensure it’s not too brittle to function as a wheel, it almost becomes a science. Therefore, you need to trust a company with years of experience and knowledge in the manufacture of crane wheels to give you peace of mind in your purchasing decision. We’ve dedicated sixty years to increasing safety and efficiency for business through the design of our wheels and know exactly how to consistently produce reliable products that you can count on to get the job done.
Finding the perfect crane wheel can be challenging which is why our dedicated and knowledgeable team is on hand to advise you and help you find exactly what you need from our extensive range of products. No matter what you buy from us, we guarantee that it will be long-lasting, reliable, and a welcome addition to the smooth operations of your business. When it comes to moving and transporting goods, put your faith in the unrivalled expertise of Richmond Wheel and Castor Co. Call us, visit one of our showrooms, or check out our online store today!
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