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Casters and wheels come with their own vocabulary — kingpinless, durometer, expanding stem, dynamic load rating — and getting a spec wrong is one of the most common reasons a part gets returned. This glossary breaks down the terms you’ll run into while researching, comparing, or ordering casters and wheels, in plain language, with the buying context that a dictionary definition leaves out.
Can’t find a term, or not sure which part you need? Call 800-501-3808 and our team can walk you through it.
Start here if you’re trying to figure out which broad type of caster you need — swivel vs. rigid, kingpin vs. kingpinless, and the specialty configurations built for specific equipment.
Material is usually the first real decision in picking a wheel — it determines floor protection, load capacity, noise, and how the wheel holds up to chemicals, heat, or moisture.
If you’re reading a spec sheet or replacing a failed part, these are the terms for the individual pieces that make up a caster.
Ordering the wrong mount is one of the most common return reasons. These terms cover how a caster actually attaches to your equipment.
The numbers on a spec sheet — what they mean, and how to do the math for how many casters your equipment actually needs.
Terms covering the different ways a caster can be locked in place, partially or fully.
Terms organized around the environment or industry a caster is built for, rather than a specific spec.
How the floor you’re rolling on should shape your wheel choice.
The compliance and testing terms you’ll see referenced on spec sheets for regulated or standards-driven environments.
Practical, how-to terms for measuring, comparing, and choosing — start here if you’re not sure what you’re looking for yet.
This glossary is under construction. Individual term pages are being added — check back soon, or call us if you need an answer today.
