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Everything you need to know about ball transfer units.

Ball transfer units are mechanical devices designed to move heavy or awkward items in any direction with minimal effort. Each unit features a large load-bearing ball resting on smaller support balls within a housing. This design allows for smooth, omnidirectional movement, improving handling efficiency in conveyor systems, material handling setups, assembly lines and within machinery.

Choosing the right ball transfer unit is critical to achieving optimum performance and safety. The following will help guide you:

  • Environment: will the unit be in hot or cold temperatures, in dry or wet conditions, how much dirt and dust is it likely to be exposed to.
  • Load: what are the minimum and maximum loads the unit will be moving
  • Usage: what is the frequency of movement ranging from occasional to extremely high
  • Type of load: what is the object you are moving, does it have a solid base, is it enabling the movement of another object.
  • Will the unit be use ball up (handling loads) or ball-down (as a rolling support)
  • What type of mounting support is the most suitable for the operational use.

The best way forward is to contact our team of exerts who will support you will selecting the right unit for your requirements.

Ball transfer units are widely used across industries including manufacturing, packaging, aerospace, automotive, intralogistics, and airport baggage systems. Their ability to streamline movement and improve ergonomics makes them ideal for high-volume or high-precision environments as well as complex heavy load movements.
BTUs reduce friction, lower manual handling effort, and allow products to move in all directions, making them perfect for tight spaces or assembly operations. They improve workflow, protect goods from damage, and can handle heavy or delicate loads with ease, increasing operational efficiency.
Yes. There’s a wide range to suit various applications. Options include heavy-duty ball transfer units for industrial loads, spring-loaded units for shock absorption, low-profile types for tight spaces, mini versions often used in machinery manufacture with stainless steel versions for corrosive or cleanroom conditions, quieter units for noise sensitive environments. Units also differ in mounting type, ball size, and load capacity. See how to choose the right ball transfer unit (link to previous FAQ).

The life expectancy of a ball transfer unit depends on usage conditions like load weight, frequency, and environment. Many units are pre-lubricated and sealed for long-term, maintenance-free use. In general, quality BTUs can perform reliably for years under proper conditions.

Quality of design and manufacture is a core value and passion for us at Alwayse, that is why we offer a 1-year warranty as standard on all our units with the option to apply for extended warranties of between 2 - 5 years!

  • Type 13 Carbon Chrome = -30°C to + 100°C
  • Type 14 Nylon = -30°C to + 80°C
  • Type 15 All Stainless Steel = -30°C to + 200°C*
  • Type 16 Stainless Steel (Ball Only) = -30°C to + 100°C

*Higher temperatures up to 200°C can be handled with a 50% reduced load capacity rating.

Load capacity varies by unit; we manufacture units which can hold up to 10 tons on a single unit. As a general rule each unit should carry about one-third of the total load weight. For spacing, divide the shortest dimension of the load by 3.5 This ensures adequate support and stability during movement.

For corrosive, marine, or washdown environments, choose all-stainless steel ball transfer units, especially those made with 316-grade steel. These resist rust and wear, ensuring long-term durability in demanding settings.

For dusty environments, units with a seal can help keep the dust out of the unit, increasing lifespan (not felt seals are not suitable for clean room environments).

Units with scraper seals are best for dirty environments.

Speak to one of our experts who will be able to advise on the best type of unit and material for the environment.

Most units require minimal maintenance. Wipe off dust or debris and apply a light lubricant like WD‑40 or blast with some compressed air when needed. Sealed or plastic versions are often maintenance-free, ideal for hard-to-reach or hygienic settings.

Talk to us if you would like to discuss maintenance services such are cleaning and replacement. This can be particularly useful if using in a business-critical environment.

Due to the quality in design and manufacture, the majority of Alwayse ball units can be used ball down. This is one of the aspects that sets us apart from our competitors who will often compromise on quality and therefore performance. A ball down position does reduce the load capacity of the unit so always check with the Alwayse team to make sure you select the best unit for your application. Comparatively, Hevi-Load Ball Transfer Units and Hi-Tech 6025 units are best suited for ball down use due to the re-circulating load pad design.

The hardness of the carbon steel Type 13 units is typically 60HRC and the hardness of the Type 15 AISI420 stainless steel balls is typically 52 – 58HRC.

To help reduce marking from the load ball, the surface material ideally needs to be equal to or greater than the hardness of the load ball. If this is a concern then speak to a member of the team as there are other materials we can use and we are experts in designing bespoke solutions to meet unique challenges.

Nylon 85 shore D scale hardness.

Red polyurethane ball 35 shore D scale hardness.
Black rubber ball 85 shore A scale hardness.

60 degrees celsius

1500 range with black polyurethane scraper seal.
Hi-Tech 6025 units with red polyurethane scraper seal.

Any of our Type 15 complete stainless steel ball transfer units can be used in wet conditions. We advise against a felt seal in these environments.
Special stainless steel ball transfer units manufactured from 316 stainless steel.
There are a number of ways to reduce the noise of a BTU. The addition of seals in the units where suitable can dampen the noise. The choice of ball and case material such as plastic or rubber will reduce noise levels but will compromise on load capacity. The fixture holding the ball transfer Unit can also contribute to amplifying noise if acting as a sounding board so worth considering in the designs.
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