What are casters? Casters are a wheel and assembly placed on the bottom side of equipment, dollies, and trucks. They are used to move everything from light-duty hampers and carts, to furniture, to heavy-duty commercial and industrial equipment. But no matter how many casters your piece of equipment uses, that equipment won’t roll when one of the casters breaks. With so many caster replacements to choose from, how do you know which replacement caster is the right one? The following information should help you narrow it down to the right caster.
Is It a Caster or a Wheel?
Before beginning your purchase research, it’s important to differentiate between the terms commonly used to describe a caster (or “castor,” in some circles). A caster consists of many parts, including the wheel, bolts, plate, kingpin, swivel, load bearings, raceway, various fittings, and more. The caster wheel consists of just the wheel itself, and is often available separately as a wheel replacement.
Search by Manufacturer’s Part Numbers, or Brand
Like many other products, caster assemblies and caster parts may be imprinted or labeled with manufacturer’s part numbers. The quickest way to find a replacement is to note the part number and use that in a search of Zoro’s website. If you can find no part number, you may be able to find it by searching the brand and drilling down from there. Absent a part number or a brand, finding the right replacement for a caster or caster parts will require an understanding of the different types of casters for different applications, and beginning a process of elimination starting with the most common types of casters.
What are the Most Common Types of Casters and How Do They Mount?
There are five common types of casters:
- Swivel casters feature a kingpin bolt surrounded by several components that allow the caster to swivel 360°. The kingpin also attaches the caster to the top plate. Impacts absorbed by the caster will be transmitted through the kingpin, so this type of caster is best for light stress applications such as light loads transported over smooth surfaces at a walking pace.
- Kingpinless casters mount directly to the item they transport (typically utility carts, towlines, dollies, platform trucks, etc.) with four screws, rather than with a traditional bolt/kingpin assembly. This is generally a heavy-duty caster with thick, shock absorbent wheels for bumpy floor surfaces.
- Rigid casters do not swivel and are intended for industrial applications which require straight line travel, forward or backward only. These are also typically heavy-duty casters that attach directly to the bottom of the cart via bolts. Some applications call for two rigid casters and two swivel casters.
- Stem casters solve a space issue. When there is limited mounting space on the bottom of the object to be transported, the elongated stem of the stem caster design eliminates or minimizes the need for a mounting plate, thereby accommodating the limited attachment area. These are generally used for light- to medium-duty applications.
- Ladder casters are typically used on large ladders and moveable platforms, but sometimes also on large, lightweight doors or gates. Some include springs that compress to offset uneven surfaces. Mounting options for ladder casters vary.
What’s Your Caster Application?
A good way to determine which of the above five caster types is right for your application is to think through how they will be used. Truly heavy-duty casters, such as those suited to baggage trolley cars on airport tarmacs, and in some industrial settings, are dual wheel pneumatic casters that must bear the stress of heavy loads turning at speeds of up to 25 mph. Other heavy-duty applications, such as casters for an auto rotisserie rack in a mechanic’s garage, must be capable of holding a shifting load of up to 3,000 lbs. Smaller casters, such as those used in food processing operations and large bakery operations, are wheeled in and out of ovens and must be able to sustain high temperatures. Most applications offer lockable caster options.
Whether you’re looking for replacement locking casters, office chair casters, workbench casters, retractable casters, or something more industrial, we hope you found this information helpful. Many Zoro customers find our product solutions helpful, as well. Be sure to check out Zoro’s full line of casters, and caster parts and accessories.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.