What is a plate caster?

A caster that bolts to equipment through a flat top plate with four holes. Use one where the frame or deck takes bolts; stem casters fit into a socket or threaded hole instead.

Which plate size is most common?

4 x 4-1/2 in is the most common plate on this page, followed by 4-1/2 x 6-1/4 in. Light carts often use 2-3/8 x 3-5/8 or 2-1/2 x 3-5/8 in plates, and heavier casters use 5-1/4 x 7-1/4 in.

How do I measure a plate for a replacement caster?

Measure the plate length and width, then the bolt hole spacing center to center in both directions. Both need to match for a bolt-on swap, and check the overall height too.

How much weight can a plate caster hold?

Single plate casters here are rated 75 to 30,000 lb, and most fall between 450 and 1,400 lb. Set listings give a combined rating for the set.

Which brake types are available on plate casters?

Total lock, top lock, side lock and face contact brakes are all listed. A total lock brake holds both the wheel and the swivel.

Swivel or rigid plate casters?

Swivels steer and rigids track straight. Most carts and trucks run two swivels at the handle end and two rigids at the other.

Plate Casters

These plate casters mount with a bolted top plate on carts, racks, fixtures, and machine bases in plants and warehouses. Casters in this collection range from about 75 to 30,000 lb per caster. Common plate sizes include 2-3/8 x 3-5/8, 4 x 4-1/2, and 4-1/2 x 6-1/4 in with matching bolt patterns. Wheel materials include polyurethane (poly or urethane), rubber, nylon, phenolic, iron, and forged steel. Soft polyurethane on aluminum (~85 Shore A) or TPR is the better pick when the floor has chips or debris. Measure the old plate and bolt holes before you order so the new caster drops in. Choose swivel casters when the cart must turn in place, rigid casters for straight travel, and add a brake when the cart needs to stay put. Read the listing for the exact wheel size, overall height, and mount shown. Capacities below are per caster unless a listing says set. Stem mounts: stem casters. Heavy plant builds: heavy duty casters.

Shop by top plate size

19 types

Match the plate on your equipment: its outside size, or the bolt-hole spacing. How to measure →

Caster Finder Find your caster in 3 steps Narrow by mount, size and capacity to your exact spec in this collection.

Plate Casters: buying guide

Plate casters bolt to a cart, dolly or machine base through a flat top plate with four holes. This page lists more than 3,400 swivel, rigid and brake models rated 75 to 30,000 lb per caster, with polyurethane, nylon, rubber, phenolic, cast iron and forged steel wheels on zinc plated steel or stainless steel frames. Pick your plate size below, then match the bolt hole spacing on your equipment.

2-3/8 x 3-5/8 to 12 x 12 in Plates 75 to 30,000 lb Per Caster Zinc Plated or Stainless Frames Swivel, Rigid and Brake Models Same-Day Ship by Noon CST

Shop Plate Casters by Top-Plate Size

Engineering Guides

Common plate sizes

Plate (approx.)	Typical wheels	Where it shows up
2-3/8 x 3-5/8 in	About 3 to 5 x 1-1/4 in	Light carts, institutional
4 x 4-1/2 in	About 4 to 8 x 2 in	Most industrial carts
4-1/2 x 6-1/4 in	About 6 to 12 x 2 to 3 in	Heavier platforms
Larger / dual plates	Forged and dual-wheel	Extra heavy and kingpinless

Admin full scan of plate-casters, October 26, 2026: per-caster title min 75 / max 30,000 (Albion 850 dual forged) [S1].

How to choose

Measure the existing plate and bolt-hole pattern (or slotted range).
Size load per caster (often loaded weight divided by 3 on uneven floors).
Pick tread for the floor: poly for smooth indoor, iron/forged for abuse, pneumatic for rough ground.
Add a wheel brake or total lock only when the job needs it.

Plate caster questions

Plate or stem mount?

Use a plate when the frame has a flat pad and you need industrial capacity. Use a stem when the leg is a tube or socket. Stem options live on the stem casters hub.

What is the max capacity here?

Verified active titles reach about 30,000 lb per caster on Albion dual-wheel forged steel kingpinless. Most cart work sits far below that.

Jordan Wilson, CasterHQ · reviewed October 26, 2026 · 844-439-4335 · info@casterhq.com

Sources

[S1] CasterHQ Admin products for plate-casters, full scan October 26, 2026 (3,513 products).
[S2] Caster Connection Plate Mount Casters education pages.
[S3] GSC 28d audit: plate casters / plate mount casters query cluster.

BHP: 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″, slotted to 3″

BHP: 1-3/4″ × 2-15/16″ slotted to 2-3/8″ × 3-3/8″

BHP: 2-5/8” X 3-5/8” (Slotted to 3” x 3”)

BHP: 2-7/16" x 4-15/16" slotted to 3-3/8" x 5-1/4"

(3″ Wide Casters), Industry-Standard

BHP: 3-3/8" x 5-1/4" slotted to 4-1/8" x 6-1/8"

BHP: 4-1/8" x 6" slotted to 4-1/2" x 6-1/8"

View All • 21 Plate Sizes

Plate Casters

Stem Casters

Stainless Casters

Ergonomic Casters

Leveling Casters

Plate Casters

Shop by top plate size

Plate Casters: buying guide

Shop Plate Casters by Top-Plate Size

Common plate sizes

How to choose

Plate caster questions

Sources