Tech Team 4 Inch Spring Loaded Gate Caster

Are your gates being subjected to too much stress? Does your gate drag along the floor and becomes difficult to move? If this is the case, then either the gate is hanging or the gate posts are weak, subjecting the entire weight inwards and forcing the stiles to drag on the surface. Ignoring this situation means the life of your gate will be reduced because with every drag, the bottom is wearing away, damaging the gate, exposing the surface to stains, and allowing water to seep inside.

Yes, you can replace the gate, but isn’t that costly? Gate casters are the answers – a quick and affordable means to support the weight of the gate, and increase its life. Reduce the load that your gate is experiencing by using Tech Team’s spring loaded gate casters, which offer excellent support. There are several suppliers of spring loaded gate casters such as: Shepherd, Stanley, National Hardware, Norstrand, Albion Caster Corporation, Fence Smart 4 U, and Koch Industries however the Tech Team model 716 https://www.amazon.com/TECH-TEAM-4-Inch-Capacity-Hardware/dp/B079TFW124?crid=25WOZ6Z7MXMAS&keywords=gate+casters+with+springs&qid=1539028666&sprefix=gate+casters%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-4&ref=sr_1_4

is clearly the best. These casters can withstand over 125 lbs. by balancing the gate load so that it swings freely without sagging. Thus, the gate doesn’t jam, drag, or tear off the hinges and compensates for dips and ruts.

The Tech Team gate caster is equipped with a compression spring as well, which enables easy and convenient rolling. This is fairly useful on uneven surfaces because its increases life of the gate and its hinges.

• Made from hard rubber
• Equipped with a compression spring for absorbing shock
• Can be used with wood, tubular steel, or vinyl gates
• Has a capacity of 125 pounds
• Weight: 2.72 pounds

Versatile Usage

This durably constructed gate caster can be attached to gates of any materials including vinyl, metal and wood.

Benefits

Install Tech Team’s spring loaded gate caster to prevent your gates from sagging or being dragged on the ground. This solidly constructed product eliminates all stress on the gate, and ensures a longer life for the hinges and gate posts.

Installing the Gate Caster

The best place to fix the gate caster is at the bottom of the latch end of the gate; if your arrangement consists of two main gates then you will need 2 casters at the point where the gates are joined together. The caster can either be fixed at the stile itself or a bit further away.

When installing casters, you don’t need a lot of specialty tools. Even a simple kit with some hammers, pliers and a power drill would do. In some cases, you may require a block that should fit the stile and has an appropriate thickness. The block should be of sturdy fit so that it can be fixed against the boards, and if you want an aesthetic appeal, it should match your gate as well. Attach the block using some adhesive, and then drill holes into the surface. Slides in screws and secure the block onto the gate’s surface.

Insert a wedge underneath the gate until the entire bottom rail is level. When satisfied, place the caster against the block, and mark points at which you’ll drill holes.  Once done, you can temporarily screw the caster onto the gate. Use a lock washer on the other side to firmly secure the caster in place.

Now take out the wedge and examine the gate level. If the gate drops, slide the support underneath, but at a higher position to account for the drop. Ensure that the gate is sitting at a proper level. In case the gate doesn’t drop, you can just adjust the wheel to straighten the level. Remove all screws and the drill deeper until the drill protrudes on the other side. Push the bolts in place, firmly fixing the gate caster.

Mounting Tips

A gate caster supports the weight of the gate at the latch end, but usually cannot withstand the entire load. The compression spring on the caster absorbs shock, and can only move 2-3 inches. If the surface is too uneven or has pot holes, then even using a gate caster may not increase the life of your gates.

Keep the above in mind, and remember the following tips when installing spring loaded gate casters.

• Fix the gate caster to the lowest application point. This would allow the spring to compress as the caster moves upwards in its range.
• Install the gate caster at the point furthest from the hinges for greater effectiveness.

Specifications

Tech Team’s spring loaded gate caster can support a weight of 125 pound capacity. Vertically, it can move a distance of 1.75 inches or 38 mm. The rod diameter is .50 inches or 12.7 mm, whereas the wheel diameter is 4 inches or 100 mm. The equipped spring is capable of absorbing shock within 65 pounds.