Technical Information

ROLLING RESISTANCE

Rolling resistance is the force necessary to maintain the equipment at a constant speed. This force is inversely proportional to wheel diameter and depends on the type of bearing. It also depends upon the surface conditions and load.

MOTIVE POWER

All F.I.R. castors and wheels are specifically manufactured for manual propulsion. Please refer to the manufacturer for wheels and castors required for continuous applications or powered propulsion.

SPEED

F.I.R. castors and wheels nominal load capacities relate to a maximum speed of 4 Km/h ( 1,1 m/s ) - 2,49 mph (1,2 yds/s)

LOAD CAPACITY

F.I.R. recommends calculation of load capacity on a single castor by use of the formula: Equipment weight + solid load / 3
Equipment weight + liquid load / 2
Please apply to our technical staff in relation to load requirements close to the maximum carrying capacities

TEST CONDITIONS

Load capacities and tests are determined according to the ISO 22884, UNI EN 12527, UNI EN 12532 Standards. They refer to use under normal conditions:
1) TEST LOAD = nominal load
2) TEST SPEED = 4Km/h ±50 m/h - 2,49 mph ±55 ydsIh
3) TEST TEMPERATURE = 20°C ±10°C - 68°F ±50°F
4) SURFACE in good conditions, hard and solid, with obstacles having the following characteristics: height equal to 5 % of wheel diameter in the case of soft tread (up to 90 Shore A); equal to 2.5% of wheel diameter, in the case of hard tread (beyond 90 Shore A).
5) CYCLE: sequence of cycles each 4 minutes maximum, included a maximum pause time of 25% of the cycle duration.

ENVIRONMENT CONDITION

F.I.R. castors and wheels are manufactured in controlled production processes using the highest quality materials. The following standard conditions are considered as “normal working conditions”:
- temperature range: +5 °C to +30 °C +41°F to +86° F
- relative humidity: 40% to 80%
- no direct sunlight exposure
- no aggressive physical or chemical agents

STORAGE

F.I.R. recommends that products are stored in a ventilated environment, with temperature between -10 °C -50° F and +30 °C - +86° F, without high humidity and protected from dust. Do not store for long periods of time, and protect from direct sunlight.

BRAKING DEVICE

IMPORTANT: F.I.R. castors are available with total locking systems; all locking devices are suitable for equipment in stationary conditions. Never use the locking devices to reduce speed during normal work and never use them on gradients in excess of 3%. These conditions apply to all equipment with at least 2 castors fitted with locking devices in contact with the floor.

TOTAL LOCK BRAKE

F.I.R. brachets can be supplied with a front or rear total lock brake. These simultaneously lock rolling of the wheel and swivelling of the brackets. The pedal is guaranteed to work in all conditions without locking even in the most adverse environments. Locking and unlocking are very easy and safe. Front and rear total lock brakes are recommended in the following circumstances:
- Front braked brackets: these should be fitted under trolleys which will normally be pushed.
- Rear braked brackets: these should be fitted under trolleys which will normally be pulled.
Total front/rear lock brakes should never be used to reduce the speed of the equipment, but are designed and fitted to hold the position of the trolley once stopped.

BRACKET AND WHEEL LUBRICATION

Although F.I.R. castors and wheels are maintenance-free, we recommend that the lubrication be checked periodically. A few drops of machine oil may be used to prevent damage when castors are used in severe conditions.

SPECIAL APPLICATION AND/OR ENVIRONMENT

In order to prevent damage and to provide the appropiate castor and wheel in any application, F.I.R. recommends to contact the technical department for information on material resistance and with regard to any special requirements you may have.

BRACKET INFORMATION

F.I.R. brackets are manufactured according to ISO 2184 standards with respect to the top plate and hole dimensions. In response to customer demand, F.I.R. also manufactures a range of plates and forks according to North American specifications.

FITTING BRACKETS TO EQUIPMENT

We guarantee the performance and the life of our wheels and castors, in line with the product warranty, providing the following conditions are fulfilled: - the wheel must be fitted into the correct fork using the original axles, bolts and nuts of the correct dimensions - verification of free rotation of the wheel after fitting - the top plate castor must be fitted with bolts, nuts and washers of the correct size and quantities indicated by the manufacturer. - solid stem castors must be fitted into tubular structures with tight tolerance. - mounting plane surface of bolt hole or threated castors must adhere perfectly to the mounting plane of the equipment. - bolt hole castors must be fitted using a bolt as recommended by the manufacturer.

ADDITIONAL STANDARDS

F.I.R. wheels and brackets are also manufactured according to the following ISO and CEN/TC 324 Standards: - ISO 2163
- ISO 2175
- ISO 2184 part 1
- ISO 22884
- ISO 3102
- EN 12527
- EN 12530
- prEN 12531
- prEN 12532

F.I.R. products are manufactured in compliance with European Directive 2000/53/CE on end-of-life vehicles and European Directive EU 2002/95/CE (RoHS) “Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment”.

FIR for the environment FIR combines quality, innovation and respect for the environment. To this end, we have identified those products that may be recycled or regenerated. We strongly encourage use of these products.

FITTING BRACKETS TO EQUIPMENT

We guarantee the performance and the life of our wheels and castors, in line with the product warranty, providing the following conditions are fulfilled: - the wheel must be fitted into the correct fork using the original axles, bolts and nuts of the correct dimensions - verification of free rotation of the wheel after fitting - the top plate castor must be fitted with bolts, nuts and washers of the correct size and quantities indicated by the manufacturer. - solid stem castors must be fitted into tubular structures with tight tolerance. - mounting plane surface of bolt hole or threated castors must adhere perfectly to the mounting plane of the equipment. - bolt hole castors must be fitted using a bolt as recommended by the manufacturer

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF WHEELS

F.I.R. wheels are manufactured exclusively from the highest quality materials which have been specifically developed to be usable in the widest range of applications, even in adverse environments. The table below may help identify the appropriate wheel according to environment.

LOAD CAPACITY AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE