Performance and Safety Documented for Critical Usage and Product Selection

Monday, May 12, 2008

Jonesboro, Arkansas – Colson Caster Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of standard and custom application caster and wheel products, today announced it has developed and implemented new and expanded product testing exclusive to its caster product series. More in-depth speed, capacity, towing, and push/pull ergonomic considerations are included in the resulting new data being collected for Colson clients and customers.

“We believe this is the only push/pull testing equipment of its kind built to service caster products exclusively. This unique testing allows us to assure our customers that our products will perform at the level their particular application requires,” said David Long, product manager of Colson. “Our engineering team collected input from many of our customers and created these critical testing parameters to address their requests.”

Developed in-house by Colson engineers Charles Harris and David Eaker, the new push/pull testing apparatus expertly tests products in all of Colson’s caster series 1 through 8. The testing equipment has a vertical load capability of up to 2500-pounds and a horizontal push/pull value of up to 750-pounds. Results detail caster performance in both trailing and swivel positions and can be conducted on various floor surfaces, both with and without obstacles. The valuable measurements capture ergonomic data for efficiently matching caster products with customer applications based upon strength and force needed to safely roll, swivel, and sustain movement during use.

Colson’s drum testing capabilities have also been significantly augmented and reengineered to allow for tougher, more rigorous endeavors designed to accurately simulate real-world tow motor use. A new variable motor not only allows for more efficient energy use, but also enables real-time, speed up and slow down operation mimicking actual towing applications. In addition, the tests now create scenarios with speeds up to 20 MPH, with a caster load up to 3,000 pounds, to ensure product fidelity and safety.

Colson will conduct private testing, to customer-provided specifications, upon request.

About Colson Caster Corporation

For more than a century, Colson Caster Corporation has been providing the world with some of the highest quality and largest selection of premier caster and wheel products. Headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas for the last 50 years, and with more than 150,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing space, Colson designs and produces one of the industry’s largest selection of casters and wheel products, caster options, and accessories. The company is one of the leaders in caster innovation and builds exclusive caster products for all of the world’s markets.