Back to Casters

Nylon Wheels

Diameter: 3 to 8 inTread: 1-1/4, 2 inCapacity: up to 1,100 lbStem: grip ring
Solid nylon wheels are hard one-piece wheels that shrug off water and many chemicals, so they suit washdown, wet and food areas where rubber and iron struggle. Sizes run from 3 x 1-1/4 in at 300 lb to 8 x 2 in at 1,100 lb, and most are rated -40 to 210°F. Two glass-filled nylon casters are also here for oven and hot-rack use. Nylon rolls with very little effort but is loud and gives no cushion.

Nylon Wheels: buying guide

Solid nylon wheels for wet, washdown and chemical areas. One-piece hard nylon from 3 x 1-1/4 in at 300 lb to 8 x 2 in at 1,100 lb, most rated -40 to 210°F.

3 to 8 in300 to 1,100 lb per wheelResists water and many chemicalsShips from Mansfield, TX

Shop Nylon Wheels

What a solid nylon wheel does well

Hamilton describes nylon as an alternative to steel with similar load capacity but with floor protection, and resistant to moisture and chemicals [S1]. Colson lists nylon for jobs that combine temperature and moisture [S2]. In practice that means wet floors, washdown lines, coolers, and carts that get hosed or steamed.

Ratings by size

Wheel Rated load Temperature
3 x 1-1/4 in 300 lb -40 to 210°F
3-1/2 x 1-1/4 in 325 lb -40 to 210°F
4 x 1-1/4 in 350 lb -40 to 210°F
5 x 1-1/4 in 500 lb -40 to 210°F
4 x 2 in 800 lb -40 to 210°F
5 x 2 in 900 lb -40 to 210°F
6 x 2 in 1,000 lb -40 to 210°F
8 x 2 in (white) 1,100 lb -40 to 210°F
4 x 1-1/4 in glass-filled nylon caster, grip ring stem 350 lb Listed -45 to 475°F
4 x 1-1/4 in glass-filled nylon caster, plate, total lock 350 lb Listed -45 to 550°F, 85 Shore D

Product fields [S3].

Going from 1-1/4 in to 2 in tread width more than doubles the rating at 4 in, from 350 lb to 800 lb [S3]. If your fork takes a 2 in wheel, that is the cheapest way to add capacity.

Trade-offs to know

  • Noise and shock. A hard nylon wheel transmits every crack and grate. Fragile loads and quiet buildings are better on rubber or polyurethane.
  • Debris. Hard wheels skid on grit and can pick up chips. Keep floors swept.
  • Traction on wet slopes. Nylon has little grip, so add brakes on ramps.
  • Heat. Standard nylon stops at 210°F. For ovens, use the glass-filled nylon casters above or see high-temperature wheels.

Nylon, polyolefin or phenolic?

All three are hard, non-metallic and roll easily. Polyolefin costs less and stops at 180°F, rated 500 to 900 lb in our 2 in widths. Phenolic carries more, up to 3,500 lb, and handles 250°F, but Colson does not recommend it where moisture is present [S2]. Nylon sits between them and is the one to pick when the cart is wet and warm.

Ordering checklist

  1. Measure diameter, tread width, hub length and bore.
  2. Divide the load by one fewer than the number of wheels, to allow for uneven floors [S4].
  3. Pick 2 in width where you need more than 500 lb per wheel.

Nylon wheel questions

Are nylon wheels good for washdown?

Yes. Nylon resists moisture and many chemicals, which is why it is common on washdown and wet-area carts.

Do nylon wheels damage floors?

They are non-metallic and easier on floors than steel, but they are hard and give no cushion. On soft or finished floors, rubber or polyurethane is gentler.

What temperature can nylon wheels take?

The standard solid nylon wheels here are rated -40 to 210°F. The glass-filled nylon casters list 475°F and 550°F.

Why are nylon wheels noisy?

Hard treads do not absorb bumps, so vibration from the floor goes into the cart and the air.

Sources

  • [S1] Hamilton Caster, Industrial Caster Wheels overview and Phenolic & Polyolefin page (hamiltoncaster.com/Wheels): capacity range and use notes for each wheel family; phenolic is resin with macerated canvas, polyolefin is blended polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • [S2] Colson D4 Defender stainless datasheet (colsoncaster.com): rubber is floor protective, shock absorbing and quiet; nylon handles temperature and moisture; phenolic is not recommended where moisture is present.
  • [S3] CasterHQ product fields (rated load, diameter, width, wheel and core material, temperature range, mount) and product descriptions for the items on this page, pulled October 20, 2026.
  • [S4] Preferred Equipment casters and wheels guide PDF (prefeq.com): size each caster for the load divided by one less than the number of casters.

Search