Caster wheels are categorized by their load-bearing capacity and structural build—commonly referred to as light duty, medium duty, and heavy duty. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right caster for your application, avoid premature failure, and maintain workplace safety.

1. Light Duty Casters

Typical Load Capacity: Up to 75 kg (≈150 lbs) per caster

Light duty casters are designed for small-scale mobility needs such as office furniture, trolleys in retail stores, display racks, and lightweight hospital equipment.

• Construction: Usually stamped steel or reinforced nylon brackets, smaller diameter wheels (50–75 mm).

• Wheel Materials: Soft rubber, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or hard nylon for quiet, floor-friendly movement.

• Features: Compact swivel head, often with basic plain or ball bearings; easy installation and economical cost.

While they are cost-effective and unobtrusive, light duty casters are not suitable for uneven floors or heavy impact. Products under the FFIBU brand by China Zhongshan FFIBU Casters Co., Ltd include refined light-duty series with smooth-rolling bearings and carefully selected tread compounds for scratch-free flooring.

2. Medium Duty Casters

Typical Load Capacity: 75 kg – 200 kg (≈150–440 lbs) per caster

Medium duty casters bridge the gap between everyday light use and rugged industrial applications. Common in warehouse carts, food-service equipment, machinery stands, and institutional utility trucks.

• Construction: Thicker stamped or pressed steel forks, double-ball raceway swivel heads for better load distribution.

• Wheel Materials: Polyurethane on aluminum or cast iron core, high-grade rubber, or phenolic resin.

• Features: Precision ball bearings in both swivel and wheel hub, optional total-lock brakes, improved resistance to grease, oil, and cleaning agents.

The FFIBU medium-duty range is engineered with reinforced fork geometry and sealed bearing options, making them well suited for daily operation in logistics and light manufacturing environments.

3. Heavy Duty Casters

Typical Load Capacity: 200 kg – 1,000+ kg (≈440–2,200+ lbs) per caster

Heavy duty casters are built for demanding industrial conditions—steel coil handling, large platform trucks, aerospace tooling carts, and heavy machinery transport.

• Construction: Robust forged or thick welded steel yokes, heat-treated kingpins, large-diameter wheels (100–200 mm+), and extra-wide treads.

• Wheel Materials: High-performance polyurethane, forged steel, cast iron, or phenolic for extreme loads and abrasive surfaces.

• Features: Double or tapered roller bearings in the wheel, precision-machined swivel raceways with dust seals, zinc or stainless finishes for corrosion resistance.

For heavy-load applications, China Zhongshan FFIBU Casters Co., Ltd designs heavy duty casters under the FFIBU name with strengthened swivel sections and impact-resistant wheel formulations, ensuring stable maneuverability even under maximum rated loads.

Quick Comparison Summary

Conclusion

The key differences lie in load rating, bracket thickness, bearing type, and wheel diameter. Matching the caster duty level to your actual load—and adding a safety margin—prevents overloading and extends equipment life. With a full lineup from light to extra-heavy duty, FFIBU casters from China Zhongshan FFIBU Casters Co., Ltd provide clearly defined specifications to help you make the correct selection with confidence.