Random Question : Home Depot Edition

"nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul" (nfamouscj) 09/17/2015 at 11:42 • Filed to: None

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Why the 6 wheels and why do they always teeter on the middle wheel? I thought it was to spin the cart but the wheels spin 360 to allow for that. I’m sure its something simple - but it bugs me and I always find myself trying to balance it on just the middle wheels.

Jcarr > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 09/17/2015 at 11:47

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Weight distribution?

HammerheadFistpunch > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 09/17/2015 at 11:47

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its for turning, the outer casters have to swivel because with enough weight you can’t count on being able to balance the load on the center 2.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 09/17/2015 at 11:49

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Because if it were any other way, you’d get the two middle wheels unloaded over some terrain/whatever variations, and you’d be pushing something with four free casters and no guide wheels. By setting it up like this, they ensure there are guide wheels on the ground at all times, regardless of which end you’ve loaded heavy, or which way the cart tips forward/backward.

uofime-2 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/17/2015 at 11:50

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buy why not only have 2 pairs of wheels with casters on one end?

I guess this way the carts are symmetrical since the rest of them is anyway.

HammerheadFistpunch > uofime-2 09/17/2015 at 11:52

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I have a feeling its because the center wheels can handle more weight than a swiveling castor. plus it effectively means that only 2 wheels swivel and that means it tracks better. pushing a 4 swivel caster cart is annoying.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 09/17/2015 at 11:52

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His question, if I understood it correctly, was “Why aren’t all the wheels on the same plane? Why do the middle wheels create a high point?” Nothing to do with design for balance, he was just puzzled why they don’t sit flat (which I think I have the answer for).

uofime-2 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/17/2015 at 11:53

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the fundamental question is why 3 pairs of wheels in the first place?

is being symmetrical really necessary?

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/17/2015 at 11:53

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I think we understand it the same way, in fact I responded similar to you just now.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > uofime-2 09/17/2015 at 11:54

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It’s better to pivot big stock pieces at the middle than try to make corners with the fixed wheels at one end. Can you imagine the turn-in sweep of something ten feet long that only pivots at one end?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > uofime-2 09/17/2015 at 11:55

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Just answered you elsewhere - practicalities of turning.

uofime-2 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/17/2015 at 11:55

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Oh yeah I was never supporting a 4 caster wheels even perfectly balanced (which what cart ever is) they have no “sense”

what I meant was one pair of casters one pair of regular wheels.

you do made a logical point about the weight capacity of casters, but it seems like for the price of 2 pairs you could get on pair of heavy duty ones.

uofime-2 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/17/2015 at 11:57

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That’s a good point and surely the point.

Question answered.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 09/17/2015 at 11:57

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He’s talking about it teetering on the middle wheels, not pivoting. Home Depot carts never rest on more than four of their wheels, because the middle set are “taller”. Which is on purpose, to make sure you always have guide wheels to pivot *on*, rather than going all side-slippy.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/17/2015 at 12:05

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right, thats what I meant when I said pushing a 4 swivel caster cart is a pain. gotta have guide wheels.

Brickman > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 09/17/2015 at 12:06

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I think it makes it easier going over rough concrete. If the wheels were level it might get stuck in a large crack. With the front raised up it goes over the crack without the wheels going into it.

Scary__goongala! > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 09/17/2015 at 12:57

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Because racecart. Next question