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You might’ve noticed that most wheelchairs have small front wheels on them. These small wheels are casters and serve a specific purpose in the chair’s design.
Wheelchairs have small front wheels to help with steering and maneuverability. They can turn in any direction, which guides the larger wheels. This feature makes it easier for the wheelchair user to steer themselves and offers anyone helping to push more control when turning.
I will cover everything you need to know about casters on wheelchairs in this article. If you’re ready to learn more, make sure to keep reading!
What Are the Small Front Wheels on Wheelchairs For?
Casters are the smaller front wheels you can find on wheelchairs. The additional wheels are often found on chairs requiring the assistance of a caregiver since they offer them more control over the steering from behind.
These chairs are often called attendant-propelled wheelchairs, although you can find casters on more than just those types.
The Purpose of Casters on Wheelchairs
There are a few different purposes that the casters can serve on wheelchairs. I’ll break these down into more detail for you.
- Added ease of movement: The primary reason these casters would be in a wheelchair is to enhance ease of movement. With them in place, it becomes easier to make turns, especially for attendants helping the wheelchair user. The smaller wheels turn before the larger ones, which helps guide them. This feature is especially useful on tighter turns and makes it easier to move in the chair overall.
- Stabilize the chair: While the wheels’ primary purpose is to allow the chair to turn smoothly, they also help to increase stability. Adding two more wheels makes the chair’s weight spread out further, making it harder to tip over. This feature is significant to the elderly, who can receive severe injuries from falls.
Choosing the Correct Wheelchair Casters
There are so many different casters available since you can find them in different sizes and materials. If you or a family member uses a wheelchair, you’ll likely need to replace the caster wheels at some point, so you should learn about the differences now.
Caster Tire Types
There are three main types of caster tires:
- Solid: The tires aren’t hollow and consist of a durable, hard material the entire way through. This option offers easier turning but can accentuate bumps that the wheelchair travels over.
- Air-filled: These tires are hollow and contain air inside of them. They’re not quite as durable as solid ones, although they’re better for bumpy and uneven terrain. You will need to refill them with air occasionally.
- Flat-free tires: These tires contain foam and are only half-solid. You get half the benefits and downsides of solid and air tires with them, so most people view them as the middle option. However, they need to be replaced sometimes instead of refilled with air.
Consider the Caster Size
Next, the caster size can impact how the front wheels work, making this feature essential to consider. The larger the wheel’s diameter, the easier it is to travel over debris and cracks on the ground. Smaller wheels have more steering and turning capabilities, making maneuvering the chair on a dime easier.
Everyone has different needs regarding their wheelchair, so you’ll want to consider how it will be used the most. For assisted living facilities, larger diameters are the better option because the wheelchair user wants additional support. The smaller ones are best for those who need better-turning abilities in tight spaces.
Overall, you will want to consider the caster size. When checking the diameter of the wheels, you should also make sure you choose one that suits the user’s weight, as different wheels won’t have the same limits in place.
Replacing Caster Wheels
If you or a loved one uses a wheelchair, you will need to know how to replace the caster wheels because you will have to do it at some point.
For those looking for a reliable set of front tires, I recommend the Aftermarket Group Caster Tires (available on Amazon.com). These wheels are solid and flat-free, offering a good combination of steering and movement. They come at a fair price and a decent size and are easy to install on most wheelchairs. You also won’t need to refill them with air.
The following are simplified steps to changing the front wheels on your chair:
- Remove the old wheels using a wrench and socket to turn the bolts to the left.
- Place the washer and bolt somewhere safe so that you won’t lose them.
- Pass the bolt through the new caster and wheelchair forks (the piece that holds onto the front wheels).
- Align the washer on the opposite side and tighten it around the bolt.
It’s also good to check the caster wheel alignment on the wheelchair every week or so, according to NRS Healthcare. It’s not uncommon for the back wheels to start misaligning with the front ones, causing the chair to pull to one side when moving. Many people find it easier to check the tires when replacing old casters.
Why Do Wheelchairs Have Big Back Wheels?
Wheelchairs have big back wheels, also called drive wheels, for stability and movement. They are the main wheels on the chair and can make us think the caster wheels are smaller by comparison. On self-propelled models, wheelchair users turn these wheels to move.
The big back wheels are the driving force behind the wheelchair’s momentum, which is why they’re given the name drive wheels.
I’ve also written a complete guide on comfortable wheelchairs for the elderly. Click on the link for a full list. 4 Most Comfortable Wheelchairs for the Elderly
Final Thoughts
To summarize, the small wheels on wheelchairs are known as casters. These wheels are essential when it comes to turning. They make it easier to turn the large wheels to follow behind them, giving wheelchair users better maneuverability overall. It’s a bit harder to turn without the caster wheels in place.
Most wheelchairs you encounter in an assisted living facility will have caster wheels, so it’s essential to understand their purpose and know how to change them correctly.
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