Wobbly or uneven machinery is more than a nuisance; it can pose a safety hazard. When left unchecked, a heavy industrial machine may fall over and injure nearby workers. Even if it doesn’t fall over, the machine may damage the floors or walls as it wobbles. You can prevent problems such as these, however, by investing in a set of leveling feet or leveling pads.
What Are Leveling Feet?
Leveling feet are accessories that are designed to level machinery, appliances and other objects. They are installed on the bottom of machines. If you come across a wobbly machine in your workplace or garage, you can use a set of leveling feet to level it.
Most machines have four leveling feet — one on each bottom corner to properly distribute their weight. When dealing with a wobbly machine, you can adjust the leveling feet independently of each other to ensure it’s level. Most floors, of course, aren’t truly level. As a result, machines and other objects placed on the floor may wobble. A simple solution is to install a set of leveling feet. Leveling feet consist of threaded rods or shafts on “feet” that you can adjust.
What Are Leveling Pads?
The terms “leveling feet” and “leveling pads” are often used interchangeably when referring to accessories used to level machinery. However, they aren’t necessarily the same.
Leveling feet are characterized by a soft, pad-like bottom. They are still used to level machinery and other objects, but they feature a pad-like bottom that’s made of soft rubber. Leveling pads have pads on the bottom that protect the floors with which they are used.
Differences Between Leveling Feet and Leveling Pads
One of the main differences between leveling feet and leveling pads is that the latter act as vibration isolators, whereas the former does not. Leveling pads essentially dampen and isolate vibrations produced by machinery. They have soft rubber pads on the bottom. When a machine begins to vibrate, the rubber pads will continue to grip the floor while minimizing movement.
Thanks to their rubber pads on the bottom, leveling pads are also better at protecting the floors from damage. Scratches and other forms of damage can occur to the floors when machines vibrate. Leveling pads, however, sit between machines and the floor. With their soft rubber bottom, they will prevent damage such as scratches from occurring.
Leveling feet, on the other hand, are more commonly used on industrial machines. They typically have a higher load capacity than leveling pads, and you can adjust their height more acutely.