Wheelchair Casters
If every time you pushed your wheelchair, it veered off in another direction, this would quickly become a nuisance. However, with the right casters for your wheelchair, you should never head off in the wrong direction again. Casters are small wheels that are positioned at the front of your chair. They provide support for the wheelchair base. If you've ever noticed your wheelchair quivering from side to side, casters will assist to maintain balance.
Casters come in all shapes and sizes; which can make finding the right ones for your chair a tedious task. The average range of caster size is between 2 ¾ to 8 ¼-inches. You select the proper caster size by measuring your chair's ability to turn versus its ability to go over bumps.
<If you have a sport wheelchair then perhaps you want a 3-inch caster wheel so you can turn at a moment's notice. If you're using your wheelchair outdoors and constantly going over bumps in the road then you'll want a larger caster wheel. This will allow for more room to make turns and make it easier to go over bumps. Keep in mind that the bigger the wheel; the heavier it will be and more awkward it will be to manoeuvre.
Finding the right caster wheel for your wheelchair isn't just about making the tightest turns, it's also a safety issue. The balance between the front and back of your chair is very important. If the rear wheels are positioned too far to the front, then you are more prone to flip backwards. If your rear wheels are positioned too far backwards, then the majority of the weight will fall on the front casters. This makes the wheelchair hard to push forward, causing an inevitable bumpy ride.
Properly sizing casters for your wheelchair is a personal choice. Before choosing a size, talk to your doctor, rehab centre or local manufacturer to find out which caster options best suit your needs. Then, try them out! A test drive will give you a feel for the wheel and will help you better understand the pros and cons of small versus large caster wheels.
