CASE STUDIES
How to Choose the Right Industrial Castor
Where to start
Choosing the right industrial castor for a trolley, rack or hand cart comes down to the wheel material, the wheel size and how the castor mounts to the equipment. Get those right and the castor will roll easily, protect the floor and last. This guide walks through each one. Steering choice, whether swivel or fixed, and brakes or locks are covered separately in their own guides.
The main types of castor
Before choosing, it helps to know the main types you will be picking from. Industrial castors for trolleys, racks and carts are grouped a few ways:
- By steering: swivel castors turn to steer, fixed castors roll in a straight line only. Most trolleys use a mix of both. This is covered in the swivel versus fixed guide.
- By braking: plain castors, or braked and locking castors that hold the trolley still when it is parked. This is covered in the castor locks guide.
- By mounting: plate-mounted castors that bolt to a flat plate, or bolt-hole and stem castors fixed with a single central bolt.
- By wheel material and size: rubber, polyurethane, nylon or plastic, in a diameter chosen to suit the floor and the setting.
The guide below focuses on wheel material, mounting and size.
1. Wheel material and size
The wheel material decides how the castor grips, how quiet it is and whether it protects or marks the floor. Common choices for hand-moved equipment are:
- Rubber for outdoor use and rougher ground, with good grip and a cushioned, quieter roll.
- Polyurethane for indoor floors, combining a durable tread with care for the floor surface.
- Nylon for heavy loads, though it is hard on floor surfaces.
- Plastic for lighter indoor duty in dry, clean conditions.
Softer materials are quieter and kinder to the floor but take a little more effort to push. Harder materials roll more easily under load. The right balance depends on the weight and the floor.
Wheel size
A larger wheel diameter rolls more easily over obstacles and rougher ground and is easier to push, so it is worth choosing the largest wheel the equipment can take.
Load capacity
Size and material of wheels determines the wheel capacity, so the two questions are answered together. Work out the total loaded weight of the trolley or rack, then share it across the castors that touch the floor. Do not assume all castors carry the load evenly, because uneven floors and off-centre loads mean some take more than their share. Ensuring the castors have spare capacity allows them to last longer.
The floor it runs on
The surface the castor runs on decides which material and size suit best:
- Smooth, sealed floors suit most wheel materials; a softer tread reduces noise.
- Rough or uneven floors call for a larger wheel and a more cushioned material to ride over bumps.
- Wet or slippery floors need a material chosen for grip.
- Floors that must not be marked call for a non-marking wheel material.
2. Mounting
The castor also has to attach to the equipment. The two common methods are:
- Plate mount, where the castor bolts to a flat plate fixed under the frame. This is sturdy and spreads the load.
- Bolt-hole (stem) mount, where a single central bolt or stem fixes the castor. This suits lighter frames and tubular legs.
Check the fixing points on your equipment and the bolt pattern or hole size before choosing, so the castor matches what it mounts to.
Quick summary
| Factor | What to check | Simple rule |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Grip, noise, floor protection | Rubber outdoors, polyurethane indoors |
| Size | Wheel diameter against the floor and the load | Larger wheel for rougher ground |
| Capacity | Total loaded weight shared across the castors | Allow spare capacity per castor |
| Mounting | Plate or bolt-hole, bolt pattern | Match the fixing on your equipment |
In addition to the above, understanding steering and braking should help you make the best choice. Please see the guides here: swivel versus fixed castors and castor locks.
To see the range of industrial castors AVM supplies, visit the industrial castor category.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right industrial castor?
Choose by wheel material and size, then by mounting, then by steering and braking. The material and size set the capacity and suit the castor to the floor, the mounting has to match your equipment, and steering and braking depend on how the trolley is pushed and parked.
What size castor wheel should I use?
Choose the largest wheel the equipment can take. A larger diameter rolls more easily over obstacles and rough ground and is easier to push.
Which castor material is best for indoor floors?
Polyurethane is a common indoor choice because it is durable while still caring for the floor surface. Nylon can carry heavy loads but is hard on floor surfaces. Plastic suits lighter, dry duty.
What is the difference between plate and bolt-hole mounting?
A plate mount bolts to a flat plate under the frame and spreads the load. A bolt-hole or stem mount fixes with a single central bolt, suiting lighter or tubular frames.
What are the main types of castor?
Castors are grouped by steering (swivel or fixed), by braking (plain or locking), by mounting (plate or bolt-hole), and by wheel material and size (rubber, polyurethane, nylon or plastic, in a range of diameters).