This guide is for warehouse managers, logistics supervisors and maintenance teams who buy casters or trolleys for moving goods. It helps you choose the right size the first time, so trolleys stay in use and you do not pay for the same part twice.
Work out the load per caster
Start with the heaviest load the trolley will ever carry. Add the weight of the empty trolley. Then divide by the number of casters that share the weight.
Do not divide by all four casters if the floor is uneven. On a bad floor, one wheel can lift and the others carry more. Many buyers leave extra room for this. Tell us your total weight and we will help you check it against the load ratings.
Every series lists its load rating in the catalogue. Check the rating for the exact wheel you want, not only for the series.
Match the caster to the job
Different trolleys need different products. Think about how the trolley is used every day.
- Hand-pushed trolleys: our catalogue lists universal trolleys at 150 to 200 kg, in seven models.
- Platform trolleys: our catalogue lists platform trolleys at 380 to 400 kg, in three models.
- Heavy loads: our heavy duty series is listed at 120 to 505 kg per caster.
The heavy duty series covers swivel casters, swivel casters with brake and rigid casters. Wheel materials include YUPA, PU, Iron Core PU, PA, ER and TPR. Wheel material affects noise and floor marks, so tell us about your floor.
Check the floor before you choose a wheel
The floor decides how long the wheel lasts. Smooth sealed concrete, rough concrete, tiles, metal ramps and dock plates all treat a wheel differently.
Ask these questions:
- Is the floor smooth, cracked or patched?
- Are there ramps, door thresholds or lift gaps?
- Is the floor wet, oily or dusty?
- Do you need to protect the floor from marks or damage?
A hard wheel rolls easily but can be noisy and can mark a soft floor. Wheel hardness affects noise and floor marks, so tell us about your floor.
Think about pushing effort
A trolley that is hard to push costs you time and tires staff. Staff may also pull on it at an angle, which damages the caster.
Bearings and wheel size both affect how a trolley rolls. Tell us your load. A wheel that is too small for the floor stops at every crack.
Also look at how the trolley turns. Two fixed casters and two swivel casters give straight, steady travel. Four swivel casters turn tightly but can wander on a long aisle.
Plan the brakes
A brake on at least two casters keeps a trolley from rolling on a slope or during loading. Think about where staff load and unload. A trolley that rolls away at a dock edge is a safety risk for people and goods.
Check that the brake is easy to reach. If staff cannot work the pedal quickly, they will skip it. When you order, say what you want the brake to lock: the wheel, the swivel, or both.
Some series list swivel casters with brake as a separate model. Tell us if you need this and we will confirm which codes have it.
Count the real cost of replacement
The lowest price is not always the lowest cost. A caster that fails early stops a trolley, and staff may keep using a damaged one. Both cost you more than a correct part.
Keep a simple record of what you fit, where, and how long it lasts. When you reorder, you can send the same codes. Fit casters of the same code across trolleys, so your records stay simple.
For help choosing, try the caster finder. You can also read our heavy duty caster series.
What to send us for a quote
Send us this information, and we will confirm the right series and codes:
- the heaviest load on the trolley and the weight of the empty trolley;
- the number of casters and how they are fitted (top plate or trolley fitting);
- a photo of the old caster, or its code if you have it;
- the floor type, and whether it is wet, oily or uneven;
- whether you need brakes, and which ones;
- how many pieces you need.
Request a quote on our website or message us on WhatsApp. We will confirm the right series and codes.