Common sense for selecting casters: The correct combination of swivel casters and fixed casters.
Time：Feb 02,2026
In daily handling, equipment moving, and industrial applications, casters are crucial components for enhancing efficiency. Choosing the right casters not only reduces pushing resistance but also improves safety and stability during use. Yet, many people when selecting casters tend to focus solely on load-bearing capacity, while overlooking the importance of properly matching swivel casters with fixed casters, as well as key factors such as wheel material, frame structure, and wheel diameter.
This article will systematically introduce the key considerations for selecting casters from a practical usage perspective, helping you make more appropriate choices in different scenarios.
I. The Difference and Combination of Swivel Wheels and Fixed Wheels
Casters are typically divided into two categories: swivel casters (universal casters) and fixed casters (directional casters).
The swivel wheels can rotate 360 degrees, offering flexible steering and making them ideal for use in spaces that are relatively small or require frequent changes in direction. However, when pushing straight ahead, they tend to drift off course easily, so manual steering control is necessary.
The directional wheel can only roll in a straight line, offering stable direction and making it ideal for long-distance straight-line propulsion.
In practical use, the most common and reasonable combination is to install two directional wheels at the front end and two universal wheels on the side closer to the push handle. This configuration strikes a balance between steering flexibility and travel stability, making it a typical structure for equipment such as hand trucks and pallet jacks.
II. Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Casters
1. Load-bearing capacity
When selecting casters, the load should be distributed among each caster based on the total weight of the equipment, and a safety margin should be reserved to prevent long-term overloading that could cause deformation of the caster frame or damage to the wheels.
2. Selection of wheel material
Casters made of different materials are suitable for different environments:
- PP and nylon wheels: high hardness and wear resistance, suitable for smooth surfaces and chemical environments.
- PVC and TPR wheels: quiet and shock-absorbing, ideal for indoor use
- PU wheels: Strong load-bearing capacity, excellent wear resistance, and outstanding overall performance.
- Core wheel: Suitable for high loads and special operating conditions
At the same time, the selection should take into account environmental factors such as ground conditions, temperature, oil contamination, and acidity or alkalinity.
3. Matching of the support structure
The durability of casters largely depends on the strength of the frame. Different application scenarios have varying requirements for frame thickness and structure:
- Light-load environments (such as shopping malls and office spaces): Suitable for thin-steel-sheet stamped brackets, lightweight and flexible.
- Environments with medium loads (such as warehouses and factories): Suitable for thickened steel plates paired with a double-row ball bearing structure.
- Heavy-duty environments (such as machinery and production workshops): High-strength welding brackets and high-specification bearing structures must be selected.
3. The Impact of Caster Diameter on User Experience
The larger the wheel diameter, the easier it is to propel, the stronger its ability to overcome obstacles, and the more durable it becomes.
- For equipment that frequently needs to be moved, it’s recommended to choose 4- to 6-inch casters.
- For equipment that is moved only occasionally, such as furniture and appliances, casters with a diameter of 3 inches or less can be selected.
If the installation space permits, prioritizing wheels with larger diameters will significantly enhance the user experience.
IV. Factors Affecting Caster Flexibility
1. Rotating structure
If the steering mechanism and wheel rolling parts are equipped with low-friction structures such as ball bearings, flexibility and durability can be significantly enhanced.
2. Eccentricity Design
The greater the offset of the bracket, the more flexible the steering becomes; however, its load-bearing capacity will decrease. It’s necessary to strike a balance between flexibility and load-bearing capacity.
3. Wheel size
Larger wheels rotate smoothly, are less likely to heat up or deform, provide better protection for the ground, and are more durable.
Conclusion
Although casters may be small, their selection involves numerous factors, including load capacity, material, structure, wheel diameter, and matching methods. Only by understanding the appropriate combination of swivel casters and fixed casters and selecting them based on the actual usage environment can you truly unlock the benefits of casters—effort-saving, efficient, and durable performance.
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