The Guide About Types of Castor Wheels & Where to Buy

If you’ve ever pushed a trolley that wobbles, dragged a cabinet that scratches the floor, or wrestled with a workbench that refuses to stay put – chances are the problem was the castors.

At Vartec Industrial, we get these questions and concerns all the time, so here’s a simple breakdown of the main types of castor wheels and what they’re actually good for.

Light, Medium, and Heavy Duty Castors

Every castor has a specific load capacity. For Example: exceeding the limits of a light-duty castor can lead to premature failure, putting both your equipment and flooring at risk.

Light duty castors are designed for furniture, office chairs, and lighter carts - typically up to around 80–100kg per castor.

These work well in retail, home, and office environments.

Medium duty castors cover the middle ground like workshop trolleys, shelving units, and general industrial use.

They usually handle between 100–250kg per castor and are a popular choice for warehouses and trade environments.

Heavy duty castors are engineered for serious loads. Industrial equipment, heavy workbenches, machinery, and large trolley carts.

For a detailed material comparison for heavy duty use, see our buying guide.

At Vartec, our range is built to handle the demands of residential, commercial, industrial, and manufacturing environments across New Zealand.

If you’re unsure which rating you need, you may use our Castor Wheel Load Calculator to determine the correct capacity.

Where to Buy Castor Wheels in NZ

We’re based in Albany (North Shore, Auckland) with a second showroom at Calmac Engineering in Papatoetoe, South Auckland. We sell direct to the public as well as to trade customers, so whether you’re a one-person workshop or a large industrial operation, you’re welcome to come in.

If you’re not sure what you need, our team is happy to help you work it out. Bring in your old castors, tell us what you’re mounting them on and how heavy the load is, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

You can also browse our full range online at Vartec Industrial – from light duty to heavy duty castors, lockable wheels, high temperature options, and everything in between.