Classification of wheels and casters
Light duty, transport equipment and heavy duty casters
International standards divide wheels and casters into the following categories:
- light-duty wheels and casters
- wheels and casters for transport equipment
- heavy-duty wheels and casters
Each of these are used for different applications and are subject to different test conditions.



Blickle light-duty wheels and casters
Blickle wheels and casters for transport equipment
Blickle heavy-duty wheels and casters
Light-duty wheels and casters and compact casters
are mainly used with appliances and equipment
for internal applications. They are designed for
travelling speeds of up to 1.9 mph (3 km/h). The
maximum load capacity is 615 lbs (280 kg) for light
duty wheels and casters and 3,850 lbs (1,750 kg)
for compact casters.
They fulfill all requirements for high maneuverability
of the respective appliances as well as for
maximum smooth rolling performance at low rolling
resistances.
Typical application areas are medical equipment,
display bases, equipment for large-scale catering
establishments, etc.
Blickle light duty wheels and casters and compact
casters are tested in regards to load capacity on a
rotating bench:
The main test conditions:
- speed: 3 km/h
- temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
- hard, horizontal surface with obstacles with a height equal to 3 % of the wheel diameter
- test duration: the number of times that obstacles are crossed is equivalent to ten times the wheel diameter (in millimeters)
- rest time: max. 3 minutes after 3 minutes running time
Wheels and casters for transport equipment are used
in the industrial sector, both indoor and outdoor. They
are designed for travelling speeds of up to 2.5 mph
(4 km/h). The maximum load capacities amount to
1,980 lbs (900 kg).
Transport equipment wheels and casters are
insensitive to environmental influences, largely
maintenance-free and run trouble-free over a long
period of time.
Typical application areas cover many types of
equipment including pallets, working platforms, and
waste containers.
The main test conditions:
- speed: 4 km/h
- temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
- hard, horizontal surface with obstacles at the following height:
5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with soft tread (hardness < 90 Shore A)
2.5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with hard tread (hardness ≥ 90 Shore A) - test duration: 15,000 revolutions with a minimum of 500 crossing obstacles
- rest time: max. 1 minute after 3 minutes running time
Heavy-duty wheels and casters are used in application
areas with heavy loads and/or higher travelling speeds.
They have a much sturdier design. To move extremely
heavy loads, two-wheel casters are also used (twin wheel casters).
For vibration free transport springloaded
casters are particularly suitable.
Typical application areas are storage and industrial
trucks, assembly and transport systems, etc.
Blickle heavy duty wheels and casters are tested in
regards to load capacity on a rotating bench:
The main test conditions according to DIN EN 12532 / ISO 22883:
- speed: 4 km/h
- temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
- hard, horizontal surface with obstacles at the following height:
5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with soft tread (hardness < 90 Shore A)
2.5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with hard tread (hardness ≥ 90 Shore A) - test duration: 15,000 revolutions with a minimum of 500 crossing obstacles
- rest time: max. 1 minute after 3 minutes running time
The main test conditions according to DIN EN 12533 / ISO 22884:
- speed: 6 km/h, 10 km/h, 16 km/h, 25 km/h (standard: max. 16 km/h)
- temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
- hard, horizontal surface with obstacles at the following height:
5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with soft tread (hardness < 90 Shore A)
2.5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with hard tread (hardness ≥ 90 Shore A) - test duration: the number of times that obstacles are crossed is equal to five times the wheel diameter (in millimeters)
- rest time: max. 1 minute after 3 minutes running time