This guide is for maintenance teams, facility managers and warehouse supervisors who look after trolleys, racks and carts. A short routine check on the casters is quick, and a caster that fails in use stops a trolley until you replace it. Here is a checklist you can adapt to your site.
Make it a routine
Pick a regular time for the check and write it down. We do not set an interval here, because the right one depends on how hard your trolleys work and what is on your floors. A trolley that moves all day and one that stands in a store are different cases.
Give each trolley a number and keep a short record. Note the date, who checked it and what they found. The record shows you which trolleys keep returning with the same problem. It also gives us useful facts if you need to reorder.
Follow the trolley maker's instructions and your site safety officer's rules when you tip, lift or move a loaded trolley. Follow the trolley maker's instructions for cleaning as well.
The quick pass on each trolley
Do the same pass in the same order every time, so a missed step stands out. The list below is short on purpose.
- Turn each wheel by hand and look at the tread all the way round.
- Look for thread, string, wrap or debris wound round the axle.
- Turn each swivel caster and note any that stick or grind.
- Press each brake, where fitted, and check that it holds and releases.
- Look at the fixings for missing or loose parts.
- Stand the trolley on a flat floor and look for a caster that sits higher or lower than the others.
If one caster behaves differently from the others, note its position on the trolley and whether it is a swivel or a rigid caster. For torque values, use the trolley maker's figures. We give none here.
Decide what the check means
A routine check records what you see. It does not decide when a caster is finished. For the signs that a caster must be replaced, and what to look and listen for, use our guide on signs your casters need replacing.
Two symptoms have their own guides. If a trolley shakes at speed, read why caster wheels wobble and shimmy. If it makes a noise, read how to stop noisy caster wheels.
Write the decision in your record: fine, watch, or replace. A "watch" entry tells the next person to look at that caster first.
Check the load and the floor
Casters are chosen for a load. Ask whether the trolley now carries more than when you bought it. If shelves, tools or stock have been added, weigh the loaded trolley again. Tell us the new weight and we will confirm the series.
Look at the floor too. Cracks, joints, debris and wet patches all affect a wheel. Marks on the floor can come from the wheel material, so tell us if you see them.
Check the brakes against the job. A trolley that stands on a slope or beside a machine needs brakes that hold. If you want to add or change brakes, read our guide to caster brakes explained for buyers.
When one needs replacing
Keep the old caster. It shows the mounting, the wheel and the wear, and a photo of it saves time on the quote. Note the numbers printed on it, and its position on the trolley. If you can read the model code, send it.
Tell us how the old caster failed. If you want to compare series for the reorder, here are two from our catalogue.
If you do not know which series you have, use our caster finder to filter by mounting, wheel material, brake and load. Tell us the details and we will confirm the match.
What to send us for a quote
Send us this information, and we will confirm the casters:
- What the trolley or rack is, and what it carries
- The total loaded weight and the number of casters
- Photos of the old caster from the side, the top and the wheel
- Any numbers or model code printed on the caster
- The mounting type: top plate, threaded stem, bolt hole or other fitting
- Swivel, rigid or brake, and the position on the trolley
- What you found at your check, and the floor and cleaning conditions
- The quantity you need
Request a quote on our website or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the right series for your trolley.