Understanding Truck Locks

Truck locks are devices designed to hold trucks or trolleys with fitted castors in a fixed position during loading or unloading. They enable a quick and easy change between locked and free movement modes.

Truck locks are top plate mounted and bolted to the underside of the trolley. It is best to mount the truck lock close to the castor but not such that it interferes with the free movement and operation of the castor.

With a step-down, foot-operated pedal, a skid-resistant rubber pad is moved into friction contact with the floor to engage the lock. This is achieved by a spring-loaded over-cam mechanism that keeps the operating force low and the trolley’s load irrelevant to the truck lock. To disengage the lock, a second step-down pedal raises the footpad. The limited number of parts ensures minimal maintenance and reduces the chances of malfunction.

Truck locks are versatile and can be used on trolleys with different castor configurations. For trolleys with four swivel castors, two truck locks are needed – one at each end, either on the same side or diagonally opposite. If a trolley has two swivel and two fixed castors, only one truck lock is necessary at the swivel end.

Truck locks offer several advantages over castor brakes. If you have enough space to install them, they can be more cost-effective than fitting brakes on all four castors.

With decades of experience, our specialists are experts in advising and specifying top-quality castor accessories, including low level castors, heavy duty castors, and high performance stainless steel castors. Don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to an advisor today.