3 Structural Dolly Parts You Need to Keep an Eye On
In order to get the most out of your facility, you’ve surely invested in high-quality dollies or skates. And, like any other great investment, you need to protect and maintain them. Having your eye on dolly/skate parts as they incur wear will keep you moving smoothly.
Knowing which parts age the fastest is important to good dolly maintenance. Pay attention to these three components and you’ll be rewarded with a dolly that stays in good working order for years to come.
Skate Axles
Your axles bear much of the weight of your dolly loads. They can become damaged or deteriorated without you even noticing. A few points about skate axles:
- Over time, your set screws could be less effective in keeping your axles in place, causing problems turning or making rollers halt altogether.
- If your skate axles don’t turn like they used to, they should be replaced as soon as possible.
- Hardened axles have the highest load capabilities as they are heat treated for durability.
- When shopping, double check your current axles as they come in a variety of sizes.
Contact us with any questions on how to replace yours.
Rollers
Rollers are one of the most important dolly parts and should be maintained for continued efficiency over the life of your dolly. We recommend that you grease your rollers on a regular basis. Some points about dolly and skate rollers:
- Your rollers have direct contact with the floor of your shop or warehouse, meaning they have one of the hardest jobs of all your dolly parts. Because of this, they show the most obvious signs of wear and tear right on their face.
- If your rollers look cracked or like they’re about to fall apart, discontinue use of your dolly until you can replace your rollers.
- Whether you use steel or polyurethane coated rollers, most standard machinery skates can switch between poly or steel rollers. Depending on your wheel type and their configuration, you may need to consider switching material.
- If you’re a user who’s never used both types, be aware that poly rollers require additional maintenance and care that steel rollers do not. Feel free to contact us if you’re considering switching types.
Remember: Rollers do not include bearings and may require that you find the right bearings to fit your system.
Bearings
Bearings are one of your dolly parts that need the most regular maintenance. Make sure you keep them lubricated. A dry bearing can turn to a cracked bearing, bringing your dolly to a grinding halt and throw a wrench in production. A few points about dolly and skate bearings:
- Be sure you’re using the best lubricant for your dolly.
- Your bearing size and specifications will depend on the roller you use, so when replacing, be sure you get the right bearings for your system.
- If you notice wobbling or if your rollers don’t seem to be moving at the same pace, you’re likely facing a bearing issue.
Follow our guide if you find yourself needing to replace the bearings on any of your dollies.
Well-Maintained Dolly Parts Keep Facilities Moving
In order to keep your production, shipping, or manufacturing system in good working order, make sure your dolly’s parts are well taken care of. Smooth dollies are also good for safety, as workers tend to expect a certain level of performance from their tools. The sudden seizure of a wheel can cause a load to tip and lead to headaches.
Remember to be sure you’re up to date on all safety standards. Stay productive and safe by keeping your dolly parts in perfect condition!
Everything You Need to Know About Roller Dollies
What is a roller dolly and how can it help you and your business? Well, maybe we can help you. Roller dollies go by many different names, such as sack-truck, trollies, and hand-trucks. These dollies are the ultimate moving tools that no business should be without.
Roller dollies are superb moving tools that benefit many businesses, particularly companies within the manual labor and moving industries. Now, what should you know when purchasing one for your business?
Shape And Size
Due to their ability to cater to different industries and services, roller dollies, of course, come in different shapes and sizes. From straight line skates to compact swivel skates, different dollies have different moving features to accommodate varying loads.
What Kind Of Roller Dollies Do You Need?
This all depends on the nature of your work, but if you’ll be anticipating carrying different kinds of loads, you’ll not only be considering the size but other customizable aspects too.
You can choose to customize a variety of different aspects, including but not limited to:
- Wheel size and type
- Handle type
- Skate system and weight capacity
- Stair climbers
Most importantly, you have to establish the purpose your dolly will serve.
Modifications
Roller dollies are high capacity and can be used to shift machinery and heavy-duty materials. For this reason, configurations are often necessary for ease of use.
Examples of configurations and customizations that can be made are fitting swiveling wheels in order to better maneuver tight turns with precision while keeping heavy loads safe. To protect flooring, some dollies can be fitted with nylon chain rollers. Otherwise, steel chain rollers or tracks can also be used. For more uneven surfaces, rocker tops and turntables can be fitted as modifications.
Braking mechanisms can also be installed for safety purposes.
Where Do We Come In?
Here at Hevi-Haul, we can help you determine you roller dolly needs. We believe in the best when it comes to skates and dollies, and we want to know that you’ll get the best out of the products we have available. If that means customization, we offer that too!
If you purchase the right roller dolly for your needs, your employees will have a much easier time shifting things around, making it less of a perk and more of a necessity.
Dollies can help carry out essential work and may be one of the most important purchases you make for your business. Whether you need it for work, or you’re moving your business from point A to point B, we’re here to help.
To request a quote, or for any general inquiries, contact us today. Be sure to also check out our product catalog for a peek at what we already have on offer and get some ideas. To see them in action, be sure to visit our video gallery too!