Leveling feet are adjustable feet with tapped or stud mounts that fit on each corner of a machine or appliance to ensure it’s level on uneven surfaces. Sometimes, equipment and machine tools won’t function at their best unless they’re perfectly even.

The unfortunate reality is that most floors aren’t level. This may not affect daily living or business, but it can lead to some complications when trying to use your fridge, washing machine, industrial equipment, or even a printer to its full potential. As a result, machine leveling can be your only option.

You can purchase leveling feet for uneven surfaces in various materials like stainless steel, plastic, and steel and position them on each corner of a machine that sits off the ground. The threaded shaft of each foot allows you to shorten or lengthen it until your appliance is perfectly level on the imperfectly unlevel floor.

Leveler feet can hold something weighing as little as 20 pounds, but also something as hefty as 40,000 pounds or above. As you can probably assume, the same set of feet can’t do the same job.

Leveling feet are manufactured out of different materials like iron, aluminum, zinc, and even neoprene, rubber, fabric, and plastic. Each material type serves an essential purpose in lightweight, heavy-duty, and industrial applications.

When choosing the most appropriate leveling feet for your situation, the most crucial consideration is the base material. Lighter loads can be taken care of by feet with plastic bases, but steel, zinc, and stainless steel can suit those medium to heavy loads. Some leveling feet also have poly cushioning on the base and top to offer grip and reduce vibrations.

If the equipment or appliance you’ve purchased hasn’t come with leveling feet, you might be wondering why we recommend purchasing them.

As previously mentioned, most floors aren’t level. This in itself can be enough of a reason to add them to your shopping list. You can’t hope to operate your machine to its full potential if it’s not entirely level. However, we’ll run through a few of the many benefits of leveling feet and their possible applications below.

Equipment that bounces around, vibrates, and operates with more pressure on one side than another due to imbalance may not last as long as equipment with evenly distributed weight.

Vibration can also be an issue without anti-vibration feet in place, which may increase the risk of costly problems that impact your machine’s longevity and, ultimately, your productivity levels.

When any appliance or machine is put into production, its effectiveness is based on whether the user sets it up and uses it how it was manufactured to be operated. For example, a conveyor on level ground will perform much better than one that’s slightly uneven.

With pressure placed on some components due to imbalance, you may find that some machines or appliances require much more maintenance than others.

If you’ve ever attempted to chop vegetables on an uneven cutting board, you’ll know there can be an increased risk of cutting yourself. The same general rule applies to commercial and residential appliances without leveling mounts or feet in place.

An imbalanced fridge can send food cascading down shelving and onto your feet, while a table you often move without adjustable glides may not have the support it needs to become a safe work surface.

While you might have a picture in your head of a large industrial machine fitted with robust iron leveling mounts, there can be many more situations that require their use.

A commercial kitchen with benches and stoves can only function at its best when it’s completely level. Therefore, some small and large feet may be required to keep all kitchen users safe.

Level workstations for office workers are also crucial, as are pool tables for game players and woodworking tables for craftspeople. Some leveling feet for these applications are smaller than an inch, and those used in industrial settings can be over a ton.

Steel leveling feet are important for their sterility, versatility, and strength. Whether you’re leveling a fridge, an industrial machine, or even a hospital trolley, you may find that steel and stainless-steel leveling feet are more than up to the task.

Stainless steel footplates, in particular, are sealed for hygiene reasons. Their minimal maintenance requirements and easy-clean surface make them suitable for food, medical, and dental industries.

The corrosion resistance of stainless steel levelers, like socket mount leveling feet, is another excellent feature. Without rust, they will likely last the distance.

Finally, vibration reduction can be one of the most standout reasons people opt for steel leveling feet. When paired with rubber, poly, or similar materials, they may significantly reduce vibrations.

Since there are so many leveling feet, mounts, and related accessories on the market, it’s not always easy to know what to buy. If you’re in the market to purchase new leveling feet, here are a few things to consider.

To know if you need tapped or studded feet, you have to establish what you will be using your leveling feet for and whether your machine needs extra height or, instead, support.

Tapped feet have bolt heads and an adjusting shaft or separate part. They tend to be fixed in position with minimal adjustment options, unlike adjustable leveling feet. As a result, they suit low-profile machines where adjustable height doesn’t matter.

In contrast, studs are threaded and can shorten or lengthen with a clockwise or counter-clockwise turn. They are highly adjustable, available as swivel and casters options, and suit a wide variety of machines.

Once you choose your tapped or studded levelling feet, consider your load amount. This can determine the base material, such as plastic, steel, zinc, or stainless steel. Plastic and related products suit light weights, while metals like zinc, stainless steel, iron, and steel, suit those medium to heavy loads.

Some leveling feet and leveling pads are better suited to machines that vibrate than others. Polymount leveling mounts and rubber feet suit light applications and handle light-duty vibration. Machines that vibrate and are being set up in small spaces may suit low-profile leveling mounts.

Anything larger with high vibration may be compatible with heavy-duty anti-vibration mounts. These tend to be non-slip with generous load capacities and absorb vibrations of machines like drill presses and CNC machines. Although, for the most effective level of vibration absorption, we recommend anti-vibration leveling mounts. They are suitable for high-strength construction and up to 80% vibration reduction.

Adjustable glides are a worthwhile consideration if you move furniture around regularly, such as hospital or food industry workbenches. Such accessories support lightweight furniture legs with weights of up to approximately 500 pounds and are designed to be moved and adjusted with ease.

From household refrigerators to industrial machinery, many appliances and equipment call for robust, safe, and versatile leveling feet.

However, it can be crucial to do your research due to how many different materials, weight capacities, and specifications there are. This materials and applications guide may help you on your way to making a sound purchasing choice. Contact the friendly and expert team at Reid Supply for further help and advice.