Shock-absorbing casters build a spring suspension into the rig — the caster compresses over floor seams, dock plates, debris, and tow-bar impacts, so the shock is absorbed by the spring instead of transmitted into the load, the equipment, or the operator. Capacity runs up to 10,000 lb per caster.
Hamilton shock-absorbing casters add spring-loaded suspension to cushion rough floors, dock plates, and transition seams. Match the wheel to your floor and load, then size for the loaded weight at a 25% margin so the spring rides in its designed range.
| Series / Config | Size | Capacity | Wheel | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring-Loaded Forged Steel | 8" to 10" | up to 10,000 lb | Forged steel with spring suspension | Rough floors, towlines, heaviest shock loads |
| Spring-Loaded Polyurethane | 6" to 8" | up to 6,000 lb | Polyurethane on spring suspension | Dock plates, transition seams, quiet rolling |
| Spring-Loaded Phenolic | 6" to 8" | up to 4,000 lb | Plastex phenolic on spring suspension | MIL-spec carts, sensitive electronics transport |
| Cushion Light Cart | 5" to 6" | up to 1,500 lb | Polyurethane on spring suspension | Instrument carts, vibration-sensitive payloads |
Representative Hamilton configurations by capacity tier. Exact per-size load ratings, wheel diameters, and mounting are confirmed on your quote. Call 844-439-4335.
Add cart weight plus payload, divide by the number of casters, then add 25%. Spring casters must ride in their designed compression range, so do not undersize; the line reaches up to 10,000 lb per caster on the forged steel spring rig. A parked load should leave the spring partly compressed, never bottomed out.
Forged steel handles the heaviest shock loads and worst floors. Polyurethane on a spring rig cushions dock plates and door thresholds while protecting finished floors and rolling quietly. Plastex phenolic on suspension suits MIL-spec and electronics carts where chemical resistance and a firm tread matter.
Spring casters are taller than rigid casters because suspension travel adds height, so verify mounted height against your equipment and door clearance. Confirm the top plate and bolt pattern against your frame, and order the rig for your actual per-caster load since the spring rate is matched to the rated capacity.
Shock-absorbing casters earn their place on rough concrete, expansion joints, dock plates, rail crossings, and any floor with seams or debris. For defense, military, and aerospace test carts moving sensitive equipment, the suspension reduces shock and vibration to the load.
A shock-absorbing caster has spring-loaded suspension built into the rig so the wheel travels up and down to cushion impacts from rough floors, dock plates, and seams. It protects both the payload and the cart frame from shock a rigid caster transmits straight through, and Hamilton builds them up to 10,000 lb per caster.
The Hamilton shock-absorbing line reaches up to 10,000 lb per caster on a forged steel spring rig, and Hamilton custom-engineers higher capacities on a quote basis. Call 844-439-4335 with your loaded weight, floor condition, and frame details for a cross-reference.
Match the spring rate to the actual per-caster load so the wheel rides mid-travel under normal weight; undersize it and it bottoms out, oversize it and you get a tall rigid caster. Give us your loaded cart weight divided by the number of casters and we will spec the correct rate.
Forged steel for the heaviest loads and roughest floors, polyurethane for dock plates and thresholds where you want quiet rolling and floor protection, and Plastex phenolic for MIL-spec and electronics carts. The spring handles the impact while the wheel handles the surface.
Yes. Suspension travel adds height, so a spring caster sits taller than a comparable rigid caster of the same wheel size. Verify your equipment and door clearance against the mounted height before ordering, or call 844-439-4335 and we will confirm it.
Yes. Hamilton Caster has manufactured in Hamilton, Ohio since 1907, and the shock-absorbing spring line is built there. CasterHQ is a Hamilton authorized distributor shipping from Mansfield, Texas.
Part of the full Hamilton Casters range. Compare related Hamilton series:
Spec guide: Shock Load Casters →
