A Practical Guide to Choosing Wheels for Material Handling Equipment
A hand truck, service cart, or moving dolly is only as good as the wheels under it. Pick the wrong ones and even the best equipment is a chore to use.
Start With Two Questions
When choosing the correct wheel or caster, the best way to decide is to ask: “How is it going to be used?” and “How often?”
If the device is used outdoors in uneven situations, the cushioned ride of air or flat-free wheels works best. You should also know that non-marking tires are available. If the equipment is used infrequently, a solid option is likely the best way to go.
The Four Wheel Types You’ll Choose Between
| Wheel type | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic (air-filled) | Rough, uneven, or outdoor surfaces | Rolls easily over bumps. Needs to be kept inflated. |
| Flat-free | Irregular or soft surfaces, and outdoor use | A wide tread spreads the load, and it never goes flat. |
| Solid rubber | Rough or outdoor use where you want no upkeep | Rugged and maintenance free. Stable under heavy loads. |
| Polyurethane | Typical factory, warehouse, and institutional floors | Quiet and non-marking, with good chemical resistance. |
Not sure which wheel fits your equipment? Ask a Casterland specialist and they’ll help you match it.
Steel or Aluminum?
For the material the equipment itself is made from (steel, aluminum, or plastic), here’s how they compare:
- Aluminum is more ergonomic when it comes to lifting the unit, and it also protects against corrosion.
- Plastic and aluminum are often preferred in a food environment.
- Steel is more likely to be the economical choice, and it is more likely to be made in Canada.
Don’t Overlook the Add-Ons
Many times people don’t realize that there can be helpers in the form of add-ons and different configurations. Ergonomics is a commonly used word these days, and things like handle positioning or the correct heights for individual users can often be arranged. Suggestions can also be made for specific circumstances that call for something the makers don’t offer.
What Casterland Carries
Casterland’s material handling range includes hand trucks, service carts and moving dollies, high capacity rollers, and specialty equipment and accessories. You can shop by wheel type (5″ casters, 6″ solid rubber, 8″ pneumatic, 8″ solid rubber, 10″ flat free, 10″ pneumatic, and 10″ solid rubber) or by weight capacity:
| Weight class | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Medium weight | 150 lbs to 1,500 lbs |
| Heavy weight | Over 1,500 lbs |
| High capacity | Over 4,000 lbs |
Ready to Find Yours?
Casterland specializes in mobility from the ground up. That means the team knows the best wheel or caster for a particular piece of equipment and can match the two together, since Casterland supplies many of the North American manufacturers of material handling products and sources from makers around the world. They’ve been doing this since 1975, and chances are they’ve seen your scenario before. Casterland’s sister brand, Caster Town, is happy to help too. Shop hand trucks, carts, dollies, and rollers at Casterland, or reach out to the team directly.
