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A Guide to Casters

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Whether you need press-ons, skid steers, pneumatic solids or a specialty tire, we have an amazing selection with the durability and reliability you need. Our certified technicians can replace your tires at our facility or yours using our mobile press truck.

CASTER noun | cast•er | \’kas-tər\

  • Any of a set of wheels or rotating balls mounted in a frame and used for the support
    and movement of furniture, trucks, and portable equipment
A diagram showcasing the difference between a swivel caster's movements and a rigid caster.
An image showcasing the different caster assemblies in a row.

Forklift tires are essential to your operations. But do you know when they need replaced? Read our handy tire replacement guide - it's free!

Tire Replacement Guide

SWIVEL COMPONENTS

A diagram illustrating a Kingpinless Construction caster's swivel components.
Diagram of the swivel section of a maintenance-free construction caster.
A diagram illustrating a Kingpin Construction caster's swivel components.

TYPES OF FASTENINGS

Image showcasing a central lock fastening on a caster used in medical facilities.

Central Locking

A medical caster that integrates into the central locking brake system.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that has a steel ring compressing on a metal stem, creating friction to keep the caster attached.

Grip Ring Stem

A steel ring compresses on the metal stem, creating friction to keep the caster attached.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that has a shaped metal stem that is cross-drilled to bolt in the frame or tube. Some shape options are round, square, or octagonal.

Square/round/ octagon

Shaped metal stem that is cross-drilled to bolt into the frame or tube.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that is bolted into the caster and extends to secure into the unit or frame.

Threaded Stem 

Threaded stem bolted into the caster that extends to secure into the unit or frame.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that has a metal band that compresses against a metal stem, creating friction to keep the caster attached.

Grip Band Stem 

A metal band compresses against the metal stem, creating friction to keep the caster attached.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that has a horizontal plate to attach a caster to equipment.

Top Plate

A horizontal plate for attaching a caster to equipment.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that has an expandable rubber bushing that creates friction against the tube interior.

expanding adapter

An expandable rubber bushing creates friction against the tube interior.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that allows user-supplied bolt to attach caster to unit with an open fastening. This is called a Hollow Kingpin.

Hollow Kingpin

Open fastening - allows a user-supplied bolt to attach the caster to the unit.

Image showcasing a fastening on a caster that has a compressible metal stem that creates friction to keep the caster attached.

grip neck stem

A compressible metal stem creates friction to keep the caster attached.

TYPES OF WHEELS

Three polyurethane caster tires in different styles.

Polyurethane TIRES

• Non-marking, floor protection
• Resists chemicals and oils
• Excellent capacity, wear
   resistance and strength
• Quieter and more shock-absorbing
   (compared to metal)
• Various durometers, thicknesses,
   tread profiles, colors available

Three rubber caster tires in different styles.

rubber TIRES

• Floor protection
• Quiet mobility
• Cost-effective
• Shock absorption
• Indoor/outdoor use (pneumatics)

Three metal caster tires in different styles and colors, such as green, black, and silver.

metal TIRES

• Highest load capacities
• Handles the most abuse
• Impact resistant
• Resistant to hot and cold
   temperatures

Three phenolic caster tires in different styles.

phenolic TIRES

• High load capacities
• Resistant to chemicals and oils
• Impact resistant
• Economical
• High-temp options

Three nylon and glass-filled caster tires in different styles.

Nylon & Glass-Filled Tires

• High load capacities
• Impact resistant
• Corrosion resistant
• Resistant to chemicals and oils
• High-temp options

Three polypropylene caster tires in black, grey, and white options.

Polypropylene TIRES

• Economical
• Resistant to chemicals and oils
• Lightweight
• High-temp options

TYPES OF WHEEL BEARINGS

Image of ten different bearings for a caster.

TYPES OF BRAKES

Image of a cam-style brake on a caster that prevents lateral motion by creating a positive locking force against the wheel hub.

cam-style brake

The brake mechanism creates a positive locking force against the wheel hub.

Image of a poly cam brake on a caster that prevents lateral motion by a polyurethane log, creating a positive locking force against the wheel tread.

poly cam brake 

Polyurethane “log” creates positive locking force against wheel tread; metal plate reduces tread wear.

Image of a direction lock brake on a caster that prevents swivel motion by the springs engaging the lower raceway washer. Caster can still move laterally in locked direction.

Direction Lock Brake

The brake spring engages the lower raceway washer, preventing swivel. Caster can move laterally in a locked direction. Ideal for tracking.

Image of a total lock brake on a caster that prevents any motion by the springs engaging with the wheel tread and lowering the raceway washer to prevent any motion.

Total Lock Brake

The brake spring engages with both the wheel tread and lower raceway washer, preventing any motion.

Image of a face brake on a caster that prevents lateral motion by engaging through interaction with the face of the wheel.

Face Brake

The brake engages through interaction with the face of the wheel. The mechanism is usually on top or in front of the wheel.

Image of a side/top lock brake on a caster that prevents lateral motion by engaging an arm to create positive locking force against the wheel tread.

Side Lock/Top Lock Brake

Side-mounted brake mechanism uses an arm to create a positive locking force against the wheel tread.

Image of a friction brake on a caster that prevents lateral motion by having a brake mechanism press against the caster leg, creating friction against the wheel hub.

friction brake

The brake mechanism presses against the caster leg, creating friction against the wheel hub.

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS FOR BUILDING YOUR CASTER.

Contact Our Parts Team

Nitrile Rubber

In industries where there could be the presence of petrochemicals, animal fats or other oil type substances, these tires would be the better choice.  The rubber is designed to be oil resistant without losing performance. 

Image of a chalkboard with an equation to figure out the minimum load rating for a caster.
Diagram explaining the measurements for mounting height and swivel radius.
Four-part diagram showing wheel from various angles.