top of page

How to measure a replacement castor

Get the fit right before you order.

​A matching wheel diameter is only the start. Record the mounting, installed height and load requirements so you can compare a suitable replacement for your equipment.

Shop models
Inyathi product desk / Buying guide

Choose castors & wheels.

A practical guide to wheel materials, load ratings and replacement measurements.

01 / THE APPLICATION

Choose the ride, then the fitting.

Hard, smooth floors

Nylon

Often rolls easily under load. Expect more noise and vibration over joints; check floor suitability and the particular wheel specification.

A balanced option

Polyurethane / PU

Useful where load capacity, wear and floor protection need balancing. Performance depends on the tread and wheel construction.

Noise & vibration

Rubber

A softer ride can suit uneven surfaces and noise-sensitive areas. Confirm load, push effort and whether the selected tread is non-marking.

Larger wheels generally cross small obstacles more easily, but change the installed height. Tell us about thresholds, debris, chemicals, temperature and towing speed.

02 / MEASURE THE MATCH

Diameter alone
is not enough.

  1. Wheel: diameter and tread width.
  2. Installed height: floor to mounting face.
  3. Plate fitting: plate size, hole centres and hole diameters.
  4. Bolt-hole fitting: central hole and fastening arrangement.
  5. Wheel only: axle bore, hub length and bearing type.

Measure in millimetres. Support the equipment safely before inspection; never work under an unsupported load.

Wheel ØOverall heightHole centres AHole centres BAlso measure the plate itself.
Record both the wheel and the mounting. Diagrams are not to scale.
03 / LOAD & MOVEMENT

Check the whole trolley.

Count the whole load

Equipment + payload

Use the maximum loaded mass. Four castors do not necessarily share it equally on uneven floors.

Check operating conditions

Dynamic capacity

Use the moving-load rating with a suitable allowance for shocks and uneven surfaces. Ask for application advice for towing or powered movement.

Check manoeuvrability

Fixed · swivel · brake

Fixed castors track straight; swivels turn. Confirm whether the brake locks the wheel only or both the wheel and swivel.

Why dividing the load by four can be misleading

A 300 kg loaded trolley supported by only three castors puts a nominal 100 kg on each supporting castor before any allowance for shocks or operating conditions. This illustrates load sharing, not a final selection. The trolley frame, fixing points and floor also have limits.

Send a useful replacement enquiry

Send a side photo, mounting photo, model markings, all measurements, total loaded mass, floor conditions and quantity. Specify complete castors or wheels only, and whether you need fixed, swivel or brake versions.

Sources & product checks

Selection principles reviewed October 2026. Inyathi model specifications govern the products shown; other manufacturers’ ratings and certifications do not transfer to our range.

Use the selected model’s instructions and your workplace risk assessment. This buying guide does not replace training.

Put the guide to work

Ready to shortlist?

Compare the range or send your measurements to our Honeydew team.

Explore the range →Ask for product advice

Before you measure

Park and safely support the equipment according to its instructions. Photograph the whole castor, its mounting and any model or load markings. Record measurements in millimetres. Do not measure under unsupported equipment.

​

Wheel size and overall height

Diameter: measure across the wheel centre from one outer tread edge to the opposite edge. Tread width: measure across the rolling surface. Wear can make an old wheel smaller than its original nominal size; check model markings too.

Overall height: measure from the floor-contact point to the mounting face, with the castor positioned as installed. This includes the bracket. A different height can tilt equipment even when wheel diameter matches.

​

Plate or bolt-hole mounting

Plate: record plate length and width, hole diameters, and centre-to-centre hole spacing in both directions. For slotted holes, check slot dimensions and adjustment range. Matching the outside plate size alone is not enough.

Bolt hole: measure the central mounting-hole diameter and check the fastening arrangement. This is different from the wheel’s axle bore. For a stem or special fitting, send a photo and measurements rather than assuming a bolt-hole fit.

​

Replacing only the wheel?

Also measure axle bore—the centre hole through which the axle passes—and hub length, the overall width through the hub between the bracket sides. Check bearing type and the existing axle arrangement.

​

Movement, brakes and loaded weight

Record fixed, swivel or swivel with brake. Check what the offered brake locks. Include the equipment’s own weight plus its maximum carried load. Tell us about surfaces, thresholds and operating conditions. Per-castor ratings do not establish the capacity of the complete equipment.

​

Send a useful matching request

Send a mounting photo, side view, markings, measurements, quantity and total loaded weight. Say whether you need a complete castor or wheel only. We can help identify an option to check before you buy.

Send measurements on WhatsApp · Shop replacement castors · All castors and wheels

bottom of page