Castor Types Explained – Light, Standard, Medium, Heavy Duty & Fabricated Castors

Choosing the right castor is essential for mobility, safety, and durability in industrial, commercial, and office environments. Castors vary in load capacity, wheel material, and bracket construction. Understanding the differences between light, standard, medium, heavy duty, and fabricated castors ensures your equipment moves efficiently and reliably.

1. Light Duty Castors

Light duty castors are ideal for applications with minimal weight and high manoeuvrability.

• Load Capacity: Up to 120kg per castor
• Wheel Materials: Plastic, nylon, or soft rubber for floor protection and quiet operation
• Bracket Construction: Lightweight pressed steel or moulded plastic; simple top plate or bolt-hole fixing; basic swivel bearings
• Typical Uses: Office chairs, small trolleys, light display units

Light duty castors are cost-effective, easy to install, and suitable for smooth, even floors. They are not suitable for heavy loads or rough surfaces.

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3. Medium Duty Castors

Medium duty castors are designed for robust use, carrying heavier loads over uneven surfaces.

• Load Capacity: 100–350kg per castor
• Wheel Materials: Reinforced polyurethane, heavy-duty rubber, or steel
• Bracket Construction: Pressed or welded steel with gussets; precision ball or roller bearings for swivel; thicker top plates; optional brakes or directional locks
• Typical Uses: Industrial trolleys, hospital beds, manufacturing equipment

Medium duty castors offer enhanced strength and durability for frequent use in demanding environments.

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4. Heavy Duty Castors

Heavy duty castors are built for very high loads and intensive industrial use.

• Load Capacity: 300kg to several tonnes per castor
• Wheel Materials: Cast iron, steel, or reinforced polyurethane
• Bracket Construction: Heavy-gauge welded or forged steel; industrial roller or sealed bearings; thick top plates with gussets or ribbing; optional brakes and directional locks
• Typical Uses: Machinery, container trolleys, large industrial equipment

These castors are engineered for maximum load-bearing, impact resistance, and long service life.

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5. Fabricated Castors

Fabricated castors are custom-built for extreme or specialised applications.

• Load Capacity: Medium to extremely heavy loads depending on design
• Wheel Materials: Mild steel, stainless steel, or engineered polymers for chemical or high-temperature resistance
• Bracket Construction: Fully welded or machined; heavy-duty swivel assemblies with multiple bearings or reinforced housings; bespoke plate, flange, or bolt-on mountings
• Typical Uses: Offshore or hazardous environments, large industrial trolleys, chemical plants, cleanrooms

Fabricated castors offer maximum durability and can be tailored to meet unique operational requirements.

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How to Choose the Right Castor

When selecting castors, consider:

• Load per Castor: Divide the total weight of equipment and payload evenly across all castors
• Floor Type: Softer wheels for hard floors, harder or pneumatic wheels for uneven surfaces
• Frequency of Use: Continuous heavy use requires medium or heavy duty castors
• Environment: Factor in temperature, chemicals, hygiene, or outdoor exposure
• Bracket Design: Reinforced or fabricated brackets improve safety and longevity for heavy or specialised equipment.

FAQ: Choosing Castors

Q: What is the difference between medium and heavy duty castors?

Medium duty castors handle up to 400kg per castor and are suitable for industrial trolleys, while heavy duty castors carry several tonnes and feature reinforced brackets and bearings for extreme loads.

Q: Which castor type is best for industrial machinery?

Heavy duty or fabricated castors are ideal for machinery, depending on load, environmental conditions, and floor type.

Q: Are light duty castors suitable for office trolleys?

Yes, light duty castors are perfect for low-weight office furniture and small trolleys on smooth floors.

Comparison Table

Castor Type	Load Capacity per Castor	Wheel Materials	Bracket / Assembly Construction	Typical Uses
Light Duty	Up to 120kg	Plastic, nylon, soft rubber	Pressed steel or moulded plastic; simple top plate or bolt-hole; basic swivel bearings	Office chairs, small trolleys, light display units
Standard Duty	70–400kg	Nylon, polyurethane, rubber, light metal	Stamped or pressed steel with reinforced plates; ball or roller bearing swivel; top plate or bolt-hole mounting	Service trolleys, retail displays, light equipment transport
Medium Duty	100–400kg	Reinforced polyurethane, heavy-duty rubber, steel	Pressed or welded steel with gussets; precision ball or roller bearings; thicker top plates; optional brakes/directional locks	Industrial trolleys, hospital beds, manufacturing equipment
Heavy Duty	300kg–several tonnes	Cast iron, steel, reinforced polyurethane	Heavy-gauge welded or forged steel; industrial roller or sealed bearings; thick top plates with gussets/ribbing; optional brakes/directional locks	Machinery, container trolleys, large industrial equipment
Fabricated	Medium to extremely heavy (custom)	Mild steel, stainless steel, engineered polymers	Fully welded or machined brackets; heavy-duty swivel assemblies with multiple bearings; bespoke plate, flange, or bolt-on mounting	Offshore or hazardous environments, large industrial trolleys, chemical plants, cleanrooms

If you would like guidance on selecting the right castor for your equipment or have a specific application that needs a tailored solution, our team is ready to help. Contact us for expert advice on load requirements, wheel materials, bracket construction, and environmental considerations. We are always happy to recommend the most suitable castor for your project.