Unlike rigid casters and wheels, swivel casters and wheels allow movement in multiple directions. A large variety of swivel casters and wheels are available on the market. Select proper swivel casters and wheels for proper movement of your industrial equipment, dollies, carts and furniture.

Depending on the load and the floor material, you can select a metal caster, a rubber or hybrid rubber or plastic coated metal caster. Hybrid swivel casters combine high load carrying capacity and noiseless movement features independently offered by the other two types of swivel casters.

Some important parameters you must consider before purchasing swivel casters and wheels are:

1. Load carrying capacity of the swivel casters
2. Dimensions of the swivel casters and wheels: diameter, width and axle size
3. Floor or platform material and finish
4. Operating temperature and environmental conditions

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy swivel casters and wheels from reputable manufacturers

Once you have identified your material handling requirements, review different swivel wheels and swivel casters available on the market. You can select swivel casters or wheels suitable for particular applications. For example, swivel chair casters are suitable for furniture applications, whereas for industrial applications, you would need heavy swivel casters.

I recommend: Shepherd Caster is a reputable caster manufacturer that provides industrial swivel casters and commercial swivel casters. Haydock Casters offers an array of casters and wheels including double swivel wheel casters. You can buy swivel roller casters at Jacob Holtz, a reputable caster supplier. Nansin is another caster manufacturer that supplies swivel casters suitable for various industries, such as aerospace, textiles and automotive. J.W. Winco provides double swivel wheel casters and heavy swivel casters.

Buy swivel casters and wheels from distributors or retailers

You can compare different swivel casters and wheels based on their features and prices at retailers or distributors' websites.

I recommend: W. T. Hight Company, a reputable hardware distributor, supplies a large variety of casters including swivel casters. You can buy a swivel caster or wheel at Reid Supply, a distributor of material handling equipment and accessories. Midwest Caster & Wheel is a distributor of casters and wheels from various manufacturers, including Hamilton, Footmaster and Bestway.

Buy specialty or customized swivel casters and wheels

If standard swivel casters or wheels do not match your material handling requirements, opt for customized or specialty products. For example, you can buy swivel pneumatic casters for shockproof material handling operations.

I recommend: Tente, a reputable manufacturer of industrial, medical and office casters, provides swivel casters with small interference radii. In addition to its standard casters, The Jilson Group can supply customized products, including swivel casters and wheels. Hamilton Caster & Mfg. provides custom designed swivel casters and wheels of various materials such as steel, bronze and plastic. Bond Caster and Wheel designs and manufactures customized single or double swivel wheel casters.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For safe material handling operations, select swivel casters and wheels that have additional features such as brakes and locks.
• •  Ensure that the wheels for swivel casters have good quality bearings, as bearings are the most important part of casters.