Ergonomics afloat: How Heavy Duty Caster Wheels Move Boats
When boatyards must transport their boats through their facilities or into storage for the season, they use caster wheels with various special features. These heavy-duty wheels are often used with dollies, making transporting boats safe and easy.
The Right Suspension
When moving these beautiful beasts, one of the most critical considerations is protecting the outer hull during transport. After all, brand-new boats can be worth several hundred thousand dollars (and sometimes into the millions).
Boatyards often choose Modern Suspension Casters because of their fully independent suspension on the dual-wheel series. These heavy-duty, shock-absorbing casters are also corrosion-resistant and can withstand the harsh environments of shipyards and other marine facilities.
The Fanatics for Pneumatic Wheels
Pneumatic wheels are also a good choice when boats must be moved outdoors across uneven surfaces. While they can’t match the shock-absorbing qualities of the Modern Suspension Casters, the pneumatic tires provide extra cushioning. This allows the boats to move more safely and prevents any sudden jarring.
Drive Casters Conversion Drive Casters
A motorized caster is one of the best solutions for boats that weigh several tons. In this case, boatyards often invest in drive or conversion drive casters. Drive casters are efficient and motor-driven; automating the process greatly reduces or eliminates the initial push force. A conversion drive caster converts traditional carts into motor-powered carts by simply swapping out the caster.
Case in Point. A major manufacturer of marine products was designing a heavy-duty deck dolly to move a prototyped component of a new 68′ luxury boat through their facility. The Conceptual Innovations team of engineers designed a custom caster solution to keep their prototype moving in and out of what previously seemed like imaginably tight spaces.
Casters Solutions Tailored to Your Needs.
The case study above is just one example of how a custom caster was developed to efficiently and safely perform a specific task.
Boatyards often move some heavy equipment, machinery, and boats regularly, but no two scenarios are the same. Contact Conceptual Innovations to ensure you get the correct casters and products.