Straight-Line Follower Machine Skate

A multi-wheel follower skate that acts as a rolling support point under heavy equipment, running in a straight line alongside a powered unit.

Model: MM-SFK
Product group: Machine Skates & Moving Dollies

Rolling support point under the load
Multi-wheel straight-line design
Matched in height to the powered unit
Wheel width chosen for the floor
Used in sets for multi-point support

Request a quote Machine Skates & Moving Dollies →

Overview

What it is

A straight-line follower skate is a passive rolling support. It has no motor. Placed under a corner or a support point of a heavy machine, it carries part of the weight and rolls as the machine is pushed or driven forward. Several wheels in a row spread the load, so each wheel presses on the floor less than a single wheel would.

Where it fits in a move

A move normally uses a powered skate to drive and follower skates to carry. Straight-line followers suit the points where the machine travels in one direction. If the machine must turn, a steerable follower at one or more points is needed.

How to choose

The main factors are:

Load at each support point, which depends on the position of the center of gravity
Installed height, which must match the powered unit and fit under the machine
Wheel width and the pressure on the floor
Floor strength, joints and surface
Number of support points the machine has

Matching heights

All units in a set must work at the same height, or the machine will tilt and the load will move onto the wrong points. The clearance under your machine and the heights of any other units decide the height of the set.

No simple addition

The load rating of each unit applies to that unit at that point. It does not mean that the whole set can carry the sum of the ratings, because the actual load depends on the center of gravity, uneven floors and how the load is shared. The set-up is planned for your move before ratings are quoted.

Ordering

A set of followers to go with your powered unit is proposed from the machine weight, the support points and the floor details.

How to choose between the three machine skates

The straight-line follower is the simplest of our three skate types. It rolls on fixed wheels, so it will track straight and nowhere else. That makes it the lowest-cost way to add a support point under a long machine when the route has no turns.

The powered skate (MM-MSK) supplies motion and remote control; the steerable follower (MM-STK) adds a turntable so the support point can pivot around corners. If your path is a straight line, such as along a clear aisle or a ramp, this follower is usually the right choice, because fewer moving parts mean less to maintain. If the move includes even one turn, a straight follower can drag or scuff the floor, and the steerable type should be used instead.

Specifications

Specifications: Straight-Line Follower Machine Skate
Model	MM-SFK
Carrier height	low profile, commonly about 80–200 mm
Wheel material	polyurethane on a rigid core
Wheel arrangement	two or more wheels in line on a fixed frame
Travel direction	straight line only; no steering
Top surface	flat steel plate, optional rubber pad
Surface requirement	hard, flat, clean floor
Movement	pulled or pushed by a powered unit or tow

Configurations

Configurations: Straight-Line Follower Machine Skate
Selection factors	Rated load per point, installation height, wheel width and floor bearing capacity are chosen per project

Standard equipment

Fixed straight-line wheel frame
Top support plate
Tow or link eyes
Wheels with polyurethane tread
Safety stop blocks
Marked rated load plate

Options

Rubber or anti-skid top pad
Height-matching spacer plates
Steel wheels for rougher floors
Lock pins for linking to other skates
Heavy-duty top plate
Custom coating or color

Frequently asked questions

Does a follower skate have a motor?

No. It rolls under the load and is moved by the powered unit or by pushing. It only carries weight.

Can I use it alone?

Only for a planned push move on a suitable floor. For a driven move it is normally part of a set with a powered unit.

How do I match it to my powered unit?

The height must match. Give the height of your powered unit or the clearance under the machine and a suitable follower is chosen.

Can a straight-line follower go around a corner?

Not safely. Fixed wheels resist turning and can scuff the floor or overload the tow. If the route turns, we recommend steerable followers at the support points that must pivot.

Request a quote: Straight-Line Follower Machine Skate

Send your requirement and our engineers reply with the configuration, lead time and a quotation.

sales@machinemalls.com