Industrial drive wheels are used throughout industry. The applications are varied, but all involve fixing a wheel to a shaft. The most common means of securing a wheel to a shaft is with a keyway and/or setscrews. Other set-ups include tapered locking bushing, welding, interference fit, nuts and bolts, and cotter pins.
Keyways can be machined in most wheel sizes. The wheel hub diameter must be large enough to allow 1/4” of metal between the hub outside diameter and the bottom of the keyway. Because of the extra stress involved with keyed wheels, capacity ratings should be reduced by 75% and our normal warranty does not apply. When ordering, please specify shaft size as well as the width and depth of desired keyway. The chart at right shows the standard keyway dimensions in relation to the shaft diameter.
Set screws are also available. Unless otherwise specified, if one set screw is desired it will be placed over the keyway. If two, the second will be at 90° from the keyway.
Cast Iron, Ductile, or Steel Centers are most suitable for keywayed wheels. Aluminum can be used but is not recommended due to its weaker structure and is generally used in lighter duty applications. Drive Wheel applications will generate more stress than a standard wheel in return drive wheels treads have a shorter lifespan than a standard caster application. CasterHQ Offers Keyways in both Standard and Metric measurements.
