Rigid casters are fixed-position caster assemblies that roll only in a straight line — the wheel does not swivel. They're paired with swivel casters in a 2-and-2 layout to give carts and equipment stable tracking with controlled turning. CasterHQ stocks 120+ rigid caster configurations from 75 lb to 20,000 lb per caster — industrial, institutional, and OEM.
A rigid caster has a wheel that rolls in one fixed direction — no swivel. Rigid casters are paired with swivel casters (typically 2 rigid + 2 swivel at the opposite end) so carts track straight under push but still turn. Applications: warehouse carts, tow lines, shop carts, institutional laundry bins, material handling dollies. Never use four rigid casters together — the cart cannot turn.
2-rigid + 2-swivel tracks straight with controlled turning radius, which is faster for operators pushing long distances and safer on ramps. All-swivel offers maximum maneuverability in tight spaces (medical carts, office chairs) but tends to drift sideways under push force. For anything pushed more than 30 feet regularly, use the 2-and-2 layout. For pivoting in place, use all-swivel.
Rigid casters carry 15–25% more load than a swivel of the same wheel size because there's no ball-bearing race in the swivel mechanism — load transfers directly through the axle and yoke. Our heaviest rigid platform is 20,000 lb per caster (forged steel wheel, roller bearing) — used for aerospace assembly jigs and large transformer bases. Standard warehouse rigid casters run 600–2,500 lb.
Can I use four rigid casters? No. A cart with four rigid casters cannot turn. Always pair with swivel casters in a 2-and-2 layout.
Are rigid casters stronger than swivel? Yes, typically 15-25% higher load capacity than a matching swivel because there's no ball-bearing race in the mount.
Do rigid casters have brakes? Yes, side-lock brakes are available on rigid casters. Total-lock is only on swivel (since it locks the swivel too).
What is a heavy-duty rigid caster? Rigid casters rated 1,250 lb and above. Our heaviest rigid is 20,000 lb per caster — forged steel wheel, tapered roller bearing, 1/2" axle.
Can I convert a swivel caster to rigid? No — the yoke is engineered differently. Replace with a dedicated rigid caster of matching wheel size and OAH.
Because rigid casters always carry a larger share of the load under push force (the swivel end pivots while rigids track), the rigid load multiplier uses divide-by-2 instead of divide-by-4. Multiply by 1.15 for dynamic impact (seams, dock plates). Example: a 2,000 lb cart with 2 rigid + 2 swivel needs rigid casters rated ≥ 1,150 lb each (2,000 / 2 × 1.15).
| Class | Wheel Dia. | Load/Caster | Best Use | Mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Institutional | 2–3" | 75–300 lb | Office carts, retail, hotel service | Plate 2-1/2" × 3-5/8" |
| Medium Duty Most Common | 4–5" | 300–900 lb | Warehouse carts, shop fixtures | Plate 4" × 4-1/2" |
| Heavy Duty | 6–8" | 1,200–2,500 lb | Tow lines, dolly trucks | Plate 4-1/2" × 6-1/4" |
| Extra Heavy | 8–12" | 3,500–20,000 lb | Aerospace, transformer bases | Plate 5" × 6-1/4"+ |
Converted 320 tow-line carts from all-swivel to 2-rigid 2-swivel. Cart tracking drift dropped 48% measured over 3 miles of facility route. Three years in, zero wheel failures on the forged steel rigids — exactly what CasterHQ's engineer predicted when we sent them our tow-speed and load data.
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