Industrial Casters. Engineered for Spec.
Driven caster wheels with a keyway bore for direct power-drive applications — tow tractors, AGVs, motorized carts, and conveyor transfer equipment. Polyurethane tread on steel hub, available in USA standard and metric bore sizes.
Keyed drive wheels are used in motorized caster and wheel applications where the wheel is driven by a powered shaft — tow tractors, AGVs, tuggers, and powered transport carts.
Unlike standard swivel or rigid casters that are pushed by hand, keyed drive wheels are mounted directly to a powered axle or drive shaft via a keyway and set screw. The keyway creates a positive mechanical connection so the motor torque turns the wheel without slipping. This design is critical in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), self-propelled carts, and electric tow tractors used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Measure your drive shaft diameter precisely. USA standard bores are in fractional inches (3/4", 1", 1-1/4", etc.). Metric bores are in millimeters (20mm, 25mm, 30mm, etc.).
The bore must match your shaft diameter exactly — a loose fit will cause vibration, wear, and eventual failure. If you're working with a North American machine, you likely need a USA standard bore. Imported European or Asian equipment typically uses metric bores. When in doubt, measure the shaft with a caliper and specify the bore size when ordering. Custom bore sizes are available — contact CasterHQ Engineering.
Yes. Keyed drive wheels are specifically designed for AGVs, robotic transport carts, and automated conveyor equipment that require positive shaft drive.
AGV and robotic applications demand consistent, repeatable wheel performance. The keyed bore ensures the wheel cannot slip on the drive shaft during acceleration, braking, or direction changes. The polyurethane tread provides the grip and floor protection needed in precision-critical environments where traction consistency directly affects navigation accuracy.
Keyed drive wheels from CasterHQ handle loads from 500 to over 3,000 lbs depending on wheel diameter and tread width. Specify your load requirements when ordering.
Load capacity in driven wheel applications is more complex than standard caster selection because dynamic loads from acceleration and deceleration add to static weight. As a general rule, add a 1.5x safety factor to your static load when sizing driven wheels. For high-cycle applications like AGVs, consider a 2x safety factor and consult with CasterHQ Engineering to confirm the right specification.
1. Measure shaft diameter precisely (caliper measurement). 2. Confirm USA standard vs. metric bore standard. 3. Calculate load: static weight ÷ driven wheels × 1.5 safety factor. 4. Select wheel diameter based on floor clearance and speed requirements. 5. Confirm keyway dimensions match shaft key.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Hub Material | Steel |
| Tread | Polyurethane |
| Bore Standard | USA fractional (inches) |
| Drive Type | Keyed shaft drive |
| Application | AGV, tow tractors, motorized carts |
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Hub Material | Steel |
| Tread | Polyurethane |
| Bore Standard | Metric (millimeters) |
| Drive Type | Keyed shaft drive |
| Application | European/Asian equipment, AGVs |
These calculators apply to any caster application—even if you’re browsing a different category. Use them to estimate load rating per caster, select wheel material, and estimate push/pull force. Expand any tool for full analysis + a share-ready spec line.
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