Skatewheel vs Roller System - Which Is Best for Your Application?
Gravity conveyors are the simplest and most cost-effective ways to move products through a facility. Two of the most common types are roller conveyors and skatewheel conveyors. Both are designed to convey efficiently from point A to point B, and both can help reduce manual carrying, improve workflow, save time and limit unnecessary forklift traffic.
Although roller conveyors and skatewheel conveyors both rely on gravity or manual assistance for product movement, they are not the same. Each has advantages depending on the type of product being moved, the weight of the load, the layout of the facility and how the conveyor will be used.
So how do you choose between a roller conveyor and a skatewheel conveyor? The best place to start is by understanding what you need to move.
What Is a Skatewheel Conveyor?
A skatewheel conveyor uses a series of small wheels mounted on axles to move products along the conveyor line. Each wheel turns independently, which allows products to move with less force and slope than some other conveyor types.
Because of this design, skatewheel conveyors are a good choice for applications where products need to be moved manually, turned, diverted or repositioned with minimal effort. They are lightweight, flexible and commonly used in shipping, receiving, packaging and temporary conveyor setups.
Skatewheel conveyors are often used for products such as cartons, boxes, totes and other items with firm, flat bottoms.
What Is a Roller Conveyor?
A roller conveyor uses full-width rollers to support and move products. The rollers provide a sturdier conveying surface, making roller conveyors a good solution for a wider range of product weights and sizes.
Roller conveyors can be used for light-, medium- and heavy-duty applications depending on the roller size, frame construction, axle capacity and conveyor design. They are commonly found in warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, assembly areas and shipping departments.
Roller conveyors are often used for boxes, cartons, totes, drums, pails, skids, pallets and other loads that require a more stable conveying surface.
Which Conveyor Type Will Work Best for My Product Movement?
The most important question is: what kind of product are you moving?
The size, shape, weight and bottom surface of the product all matter. A lightweight carton with a flat bottom may move easily on a skatewheel conveyor. A heavier box, drum, pallet or irregular load may require the additional strength and support of a roller conveyor.
Both conveyor types can be excellent solutions, but they are best suited for different applications.
Skatewheel conveyors are typically a better fit when you need a lightweight, flexible solution for moving cartons, boxes and totes. They are especially useful when the product needs to be moved with minimal pushing force or when the conveyor may need to be repositioned.
Roller conveyors are usually a better choice when you need a sturdier system that can support heavier loads, larger products or more demanding applications.
What Are the Key Differences Between Skatewheel & Roller Conveyors?
While roller conveyors and skatewheel conveyors share many similarities, there are several important differences to consider.
Skatewheel conveyors are generally best for lighter products. They can move many common cartons and packages, but they are not usually the best choice for heavy or unstable loads.
Roller conveyors are stronger and can be designed for light-duty, medium-duty or heavy-duty applications. If the product is heavy, bulky or requires more support, a roller conveyor is usually the better option.
Product Support
Skatewheel conveyors support the product at multiple small wheel contact points. This works well for many boxes and cartons, but products should usually have a firm, flat bottom.
Roller conveyors provide more continuous support across the width of the conveyor. This makes them a better fit for heavier boxes, totes, drums, pails, skids and pallets.
Ease of Movement
One of the advantages of a skatewheel conveyor is that each wheel moves independently. This can reduce the amount of force needed to start and move a product. For manual handling applications, that can make the product easier to push, turn or guide.
Roller conveyors may require slightly more force to move some products, but they offer greater strength and stability.
Conveyor Weight & Flexibility
Skatewheel conveyors are often lighter and easier to move. They are a strong choice for temporary setups, portable conveyor lines and applications where the layout changes frequently.
Roller conveyors are typically more rugged and more commonly used in permanent or semi-permanent installations.
Product Type
Skatewheel conveyors are best suited for cartons, boxes and totes with smooth, firm bottoms.
Roller conveyors can handle a broader range of products, including boxes, cartons, totes, drums, pails, skids and pallets. They are often preferred when product weight or stability is a concern.
When to Choose a Skatewheel Conveyor
A skatewheel conveyor may be the best choice when you need a lightweight, economical and flexible conveyor for moving cartons or boxes.
Choose a skatewheel conveyor when:
1. Your products are lightweight.
2. Your products have firm, flat bottoms.
3. You need a conveyor that is easy to move or reposition.
4. The application is temporary or changes frequently.
5. Operators need to push, turn or guide products with minimal effort.
6. You are moving cartons, boxes or totes in shipping, receiving or packing areas.
Skatewheel conveyors are a practical solution for many basic material handling applications. They are especially useful when low cost, portability and ease of movement are important.
When to Choose a Roller Conveyor
A roller conveyor may be the better choice when your products are heavier, larger or require more support.
Choose a roller conveyor when:
1. Your products are medium or heavy weight.
2. Your application requires a stronger conveyor.
3. You are moving drums, pails, skids or pallets.
4. The product needs more stable support.
5. The conveyor will be part of a permanent installation.
6. Your facility needs a durable system for repeated use.
Roller conveyors are often the better long-term solution for demanding applications. They provide strength, stability and flexibility across a wide range of product types.
How Gravity Conveyors Help Improve Workflow
Both roller conveyors and skatewheel conveyors can improve material flow inside a facility. By creating a defined path for products to move, they can help reduce unnecessary walking, carrying, lifting and forklift movement.
In many operations, gravity conveyors are used to connect workstations, move products from packing to shipping, stage items for loading or support assembly and order fulfillment.
These conveyors can help:
1. Improve product flow.
2. Reduce manual carrying.
3. Save time between process steps.
4. Reduce unnecessary forklift traffic.
5. Support safer and more organized work areas.
6. Increase efficiency in shipping and receiving.
Because gravity conveyors do not require motors or complex controls, they are often a lower-cost way to improve productivity.
Roller Conveyor vs Skatewheel Conveyor – Which Is Best?
There is no single answer that fits every application. The best conveyor depends on the product being moved and how the system will be used.
If you are moving lighter cartons, boxes or totes and need a flexible, easy-to-move solution, a skatewheel conveyor may be the right choice.
If you are moving heavier products, larger loads or items that need more support, a roller conveyor is usually the better option.
In many facilities, both types of gravity conveyors can be used together. Skatewheel conveyors may be used in areas where flexibility and easy movement are important, while roller conveyors may be used in areas that require greater strength and load support.
Summary
Skatewheel conveyors and roller conveyors are both effective gravity conveyor solutions. They can help move products quickly, reduce manual handling, improve workflow and limit unnecessary forklift traffic.
