A warehouse cart with worn wheels starts to bump, jam, and scratch the floor, and replacing imported wheels of a non-standard size turns into weeks of waiting. For a Ukrainian enterprise this is a double problem: both downtime and dependence on supplies from abroad. Polyurethane wheels made by TIMOL in Dnipro remove both concerns: they are manufactured to size locally, and the material’s service life is 2-5 times higher than that of standard rubber. Let us look at why polyurethane wheels have become the industry standard, how they compare with metal and plastic, and how to order manufacturing to your drawing.
Why Industry Is Switching to Polyurethane Wheels
Polyurethane wheels are displacing rubber and metal ones where service life, quiet operation, and floor protection matter. The reason lies in a combination of properties: high wear resistance, impact resistance, no corrosion, and a soft, quiet ride. For in-plant transport, warehouse, and lifting equipment, this directly lowers maintenance costs.
The key figure is wear. Polyurethane abrasion per DIN 53516 is 38-39 mm³, whereas for SBR rubber it reaches 100-200 mm³, meaning a rubber wheel wears down several times faster over the same distance. Polyurethane is solid-cast, so it is not affected by punctures from metal shavings or crushed stone, which is the most common cause of failure for pneumatic wheels in production.
The Ukrainian climate adds one more argument. The polyurethane operating range from -60 to +100 °C covers both a frosty winter and summer heat, while built-in ultraviolet protection allows use on open sites without cracking. The range of wheels and rollers is presented in the catalog of polyurethane products.
Polyurethane Versus Metal and Rigid Plastic
Compared with a metal wheel, a polyurethane one wins on weight, noise, and floor protection. Steel has a density of 7,7-7,9 g/cm³ versus 1,05-1,25 g/cm³ for polyurethane, meaning a metal wheel is 6-7 times heavier; it rumbles, corrodes in a damp environment, and leaves marks on the floor. Polyurethane rolls quietly, does not rust, and does not scratch concrete, tile, or self-leveling flooring.
Against rigid plastic, polyurethane wins on elasticity. Caprolon (PA6/PA66) is strong, with abrasion of 30-90 mm³, but its rebound is only 5-15%, and on impact against a curb or threshold it cracks. Polyurethane, with a rebound of 34-61%, absorbs the impact and recovers its shape, so it works on uneven surfaces without the risk of chipping. UHMW-PE has very low abrasion (15-30 mm³), but it creeps under sustained load and is not resilient, so as a wheel tread it falls short of polyurethane in the balance of qualities.
Comparison Table of Industrial Wheel Materials
| Material | Abrasion DIN 53516, mm³ | Operating t, °C | Density, g/cm³ | Vibration damping | Corrosion resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane TIMOL | 38-39 | -60…+100 | 1,05-1,25 | excellent | excellent |
| SBR Rubber | 100-200 | -40…+80 | 0,94-1,10 | good | good |
| Caprolon PA6/PA66 | 30-90 | -40…+100 | 1,13-1,15 | weak | good |
| Structural steel | n/a | -40…+500 | 7,7-7,9 | weak | poor |
| UHMW-PE | 15-30 | -200…+80 | 0,93-0,95 | weak | good |
The table shows why polyurethane is chosen for in-plant transport: it is the only material that combines low abrasion (38-39 mm³) with excellent vibration damping and corrosion resistance at a weight many times lower than steel. Metal wins only on the upper temperature limit, which for wheeled equipment is usually not decisive.
Engineer’s tip: for heavy in-plant transport on concrete, choose hard polyurethane in the 65-70 Shore D zone; it deforms less and gives low rolling resistance. For equipment working on slab joints and uneven surfaces, keep a margin of softness (85-95 Shore A) for cushioning. And pay attention to the bearing fit: play in the hub wears out the axle faster than the polyurethane itself wears down.
How to Choose a Wheel for the Load and Surface
Wheel selection starts from the working conditions. First, determine the type of surface and the nature of the load: smooth warehouse concrete, an uneven site, a damp or aggressive environment. The polyurethane hardness and its formulation depend on this. Then set the geometry: wheel diameter, tread width, hub type, and the fit for the axle or bearing.
A larger diameter improves mobility and lowers rolling effort, while a wider tread reduces pressure on the floor. The polyurethane layer is cast directly onto the hub, and the wheel comes out non-separable, with no risk of the tire delaminating. For heavy-duty modes, a margin in layer thickness is left so that it does not deform down to the base. Recommendations for selection and installation are gathered in the reference information section.
Ordering and Manufacturing in Ukraine
The TIMOL factory in Dnipro manufactures wheels by open casting to the customer’s drawing or sample. It is enough to provide an old wheel for measurement or the technical dimensions, and the technologists will reproduce the required size, including rare and discontinued ones. This removes dependence on imports and shortens delivery time.
A separate service is the refurbishment of worn wheels: the metal hub is kept, the old polyurethane is removed, and new is cast. For a fleet of equipment, such refurbishment is significantly cheaper than purchasing new wheels. Order volume is flexible, from single parts for repair to production batches.
To order wheels to your size or arrange fleet refurbishment, get in touch through the TIMOL factory contacts. The engineers will select the hardness and formulation, calculate the geometry for the load, and organize production in Ukraine.