Polyurethane Casters

Polyurethane casters use TPU or PU wheels on the Sumatic 01 and 011 series forks, in 1.5 to 8 inch sizes with ratings from 30kg to 350kg per wheel. PU is the abrasion-resistant middle of the wheel material range: harder and longer-wearing than TPR, chemically tougher than PVC, and quieter on most floors than nylon. It is the standard upgrade for high-cycle material handling routes.

The selection trigger is the cycle count. Where a trolley makes 100 or more loaded passes a day over the same route, TPR wheels wear through in months; the same route on TPU wheels lasts several times longer. Where the route crosses grit, metal shavings or pallet traffic zones, PU is the default. Where the requirement is silence on a clean floor, TPR is usually the better first order and PU the upgrade.

PU also handles chemistry better than TPR and PVC: mild acids, alkaline cleaners and oils do not degrade the compound on the timescale that affects the softer materials. It is not the first choice for aggressive solvents, where nylon wins, but for the chemical loads common in food, beverage and general industrial cleaning, PU is the practical choice.

Sizing follows the standard rule: maximum loaded weight divided by the number of casters, times 2.5 safety factor for swivel casters on hard floors. A 500kg loaded trolley on four casters needs a 313kg rating, which points to 6-8 inch PU casters at the top of this line. A 200kg workbench or trolley runs on 4-5 inch PU casters at 30-160kg. The load tables on each product page give the exact per-wheel rating for swivel and rigid separately.

Mounting is top plate with 2 or 4 holes or threaded stem M10-M16, in swivel and rigid, with brakes available on the larger sizes. Fork finishes cover zinc, nickel and black epoxy; the PU wheels are supplied in black, grey and off-white. Because the fork is identical to the rest of the range, a programme can mix PU and TPR across zones with one fork family.

Send the route cycle count, loaded weight, floor and any chemical exposure through the RFQ form. We reply with the recommended PU size, load tables and pricing within one business day.