What's the difference between static and dynamic load rating?

Static is the maximum weight a castor can bear while stationary. Dynamic is the maximum it can carry safely while in motion — always lower than static. Size against the dynamic rating if the equipment moves regularly.

How long do heavy duty castors last?

Depends on load, floor surface, and frequency of use. In constant heavy industrial use, plan to inspect and potentially replace wheels and swivel bearings more regularly than in light-duty settings.

Can I fit heavy duty castors to an existing trolley or frame?

Yes, provided the bolt pattern matches your mounting plate. Plate dimensions and bolt spacing are listed on each product page. Use grade 8 bolts for heavy-duty applications.

Fixed or swivel for heavy-duty castors?

Most equipment uses a mix - swivel castors for manoeuvrability, fixed castors for straight-line tracking. A common setup is 2 fixed, 2 swivel.

Which material won't mark my floor?

Polyurethane. Cast iron and nylon are harder wheels and better suited to rough industrial concrete than finished floors.

Can heavy duty castors handle outdoor or wet conditions?

Yes - cast iron and aluminium series hold up well outdoors; aluminium resists corrosion best in washdown or coastal settings.

Heavy Duty Castor Wheels: Buying Guide

Heavy duty castors are built for loads and environments that light and medium duty wheels can't handle - workshop trolleys, waste bins, boat cradles, industrial carts, and equipment moved on rough or uneven floors.

Vartec stocks heavy duty castors from 270kg up to 1,800kg per castor, across cast iron, polyurethane, nylon and aluminium wheels.

This guide breaks down each series so you can match a castor to your load, floor, and environment. Once you know what you need, please head to our Heavy Duty Castor Wheels shop to buy.

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Heavy Duty Castor Series

CI — Cast Iron

Wheel Material: Solid cast iron, roller bearings, zinc-plated double ball fork

Sizes: 125mm, 150mm, 200mm

Load Rating: 280–430kg

Best For: Rough or uneven concrete, high-temperature areas, workshops, foundries

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How to Work Out the Load Capacity You Need

Add up the total weight of the equipment plus its maximum intended load.
Divide by the number of castors (usually 4).
Apply a safety factor of at least 1.3–1.5 to account for uneven floors, momentum, and uneven weight distribution across wheels.

Example:

A trolley weighing 200kg carrying up to 400kg of stock = 600kg total.
Divided across 4 castors = 150kg per castor.
Apply a 1.5 safety factor and you should be looking at castors rated to at least 225kg each.

Prefer not to do the maths by hand? Use our calculator:

Castor Wheel Load Calculator

Choosing the Right Wheel Material

Polyurethane - Quiet, floor-safe, handles a wide load range — one of the most common choices
Cast iron / steel - Very durable but loud, and will mark or damage most finished floors
Nylon / hard plastic - Cheap and hard-wearing, but noisy and unforgiving on delicate floors
Rubber - Softer ride, but can mark light-coloured flooring under heavy load

Frequently asked questions

Bulk Orders for Industrial Companies

Fitting out a full fleet of trolleys, workstations, or production line equipment? We supply heavy duty castors in bulk to trade and industrial customers across New Zealand, with volume pricing available on request. Send us your load requirement, wheel material, and quantity, and we'll put together a quote.

Need help picking the right castor for a specific application? Get in touch or call 09 444 1335 — or head straight to the Heavy Duty Castor Wheels category to browse the full range.