Product Liability
According to the definition of the liability of manufacturer for their products, the apparatus and product safety law (GPSG; EU-guidelines 2001/95/EG) the following information has to be followed. Deviation from this information will release the manufacturer from his liability. We are required to give our customers detailed information about the use of our products. Disregarding this fact will release the manufacturer from his liability.
Please note that the technical details in this catalog could be subject to change.
1.0 Product Information and Determined Use
Wheels and casters, according to this definition are constructional parts that are generally interchangeable.
They are fitted to apparatus, furniture, transport systems or similar products to make them mobile.
This product information refers to casters and wheels, particularly to swivel casters (not steer casters) which are used on non-powered equipment at a speed not exceeding walking pace and not being under continuous motion.
Casters and wheels according to this product information, can be divided into the following categories of application:
- Domestic Use: e.g. seating, furniture
- General Services: e.g. shopping carts, office equipment
- Health Care Services e.g. hospital beds, patient carts
- Industrial Purposes: e.g. transport equipment with medium and heavy duty load bearing capacities.
The wheels will give a long and trouble-free life if the following points are adhered to:
a) Correct and secure fitting at the designed position.
b) The fitting must have adequate strength and material for a secure fitting.
c) The function of the caster must not be changed nor affected by the fitting.
d) The swivel action axle must be vertical at all times.
e) Fixed casters must have their wheel axles in alignment.
f) If only swivel casters are used, they must be common to each other.
g) If fixed casters are used in conjunction with swivel casters then all casters must be compatible and recommended by the manufacturer.
If casters are used in areas such as:
outdoors, coastal areas, corrosive and/or aggressive areas, special products have to be specified.
For use in temperatures below 41°F and above 86°F the efficiency of the caster can be impaired, particularly the normal load capacity as published can be affected when used in temperatures below/above those stated herein. Special products can be specified. Component parts are assembled into a complete caster. The manufacturer is only liable for the original component parts making the complete caster.
When selecting a caster it is necessary to consider all aspects of the symbol chart as published.
For tugger train applications or applications > 4 km/h, always use a caster set, - consisting of two swivel casters and two fixed casters.
2.0 Misuse
The word 'misuse' can be defined as:
2.1 Overloading
2.2 Unsuitable flooring
2.3 Excessive temperatures
2.4 Failure to release brakes
2.5 Exposure to caustic substances
2.6 Excessive shock load
2.7 Ingress of foreign objects into the wheel tread
2.8 Excessive speed
2.9 Changes made to the component parts and assembled casters not previously agreed with the original manufacturer.
3.0 Product Capability
Should the user not find a product clearly described in the manufacturer's catalog, leaflets, descriptive literature etc. then any new caster designed for the particular application has to be fully agreed with the manufacturer. Any new designs effected will be subject to the relevant DIN, ISO, EN-STANDARDS as well as the Quality Standard RAL-RG 607/10.
4.0 Maintenance
Regular maintenance of casters:
• Regreasing of axle and swivel bearings;
• retightening of axles and/or adjustable king pin, when fitted.
Should any cleaning agents be used, then these same agents should not contain corrosive, nor grinding elements.
5.0 Product Information and User Guide
It is necessary to ensure that the Product Information and User Guide is made available when required and that the reseller ensures that the customer is supplied with the necessary catalog: that the Original Equipment Manufacturer, on whose equipment the product is fitted, ensures the end user has the Product Information and User Guide.
To ensure proper function of the casters and wheels the reseller must consider the Product Information (1.0 to 5.0). This product information can be supplied for issue to the manufacturer of the equipment. The manufacturer of the equipment has to refer to the Product Information (1.0 to 5.0), copies of this Product Information can be ordered from the caster manufacturer for the distribution to the end user.