V-groove wheels and V-track rollers — cast iron and ductile iron wheels engineered for sliding gates, cantilever gates, automated gate openers, and barn doors. 90° V-groove matches inverted V-track for self-aligning roll. 350 to 6,000 lb capacity per wheel. Roller and ball bearing options. Stocked at our Mansfield, TX facility.
V-groove cast iron and ductile iron options sized by gate weight and door size. Match wheel V-angle (90°) to your inverted V-track.
| Wheel Size | Material | Capacity | Bearing | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3" x 1-1/4" | Cast Iron | 350 lb | Roller | Light barn doors, small sliding gates |
| 4" x 1-1/2" | Cast Iron | 350 lb | Roller | Medium barn doors, residential gates |
| 4" x 2" | Cast Iron | 600 lb | Roller | Standard residential rolling gates |
| 5" x 2" | Cast Iron | 900 lb | Ball | Commercial sliding gates |
| 6" x 2" | Cast Iron | 1,000 lb | Roller | Heavy commercial gates |
| 6" x 2-1/2" | Ductile Iron | 3,500 lb | Ball | Industrial cantilever gates |
| 6" x 3" | Ductile Iron | 6,000 lb | Ball | High-cycle automated gate systems |
| 8" x 2" | Cast Iron | 1,200 lb | Roller | Large commercial sliding gates |
| 8" x 2-1/2" | Ductile Iron | 4,000 lb | Ball | Heavy automated cantilever gates |
All CasterHQ V-groove wheels use the standard 90° V profile that mates with inverted V-track. Measure your track angle if you are unsure — flat track requires a flat-tread wheel, not a V-groove.
Total gate weight divided by number of wheels, then add 40% for shock loads, wind, and uneven track. Cantilever gates concentrate load on the trailing wheel — size for full gate weight on that single wheel.
Standard cast iron handles most residential and light commercial gates. Ductile iron resists impact and fatigue cracking — choose ductile for automated gates that cycle 500+ times per day.
Roller bearings are lower cost and acceptable for manual gates. Sealed precision ball bearings reduce operator amp draw on automated gates and extend service life in dusty or wet environments.
A V-groove wheel has a 90° V-shaped groove machined into the wheel tread that mates with inverted V-track. The geometry self-aligns the wheel on the track, preventing derailment under load or wind. V-track is the dominant track style for residential and commercial sliding gates.
Polyurethane V-groove wheels exist but are uncommon. Cast iron and ductile iron are standard because they resist abrasion from track debris and handle compressive loads better. Poly is only specified for noise-sensitive indoor installations.
V-track uses an inverted V profile that the V-groove wheel rides on top of. Flat track uses a flat plate with the wheel running on the flat surface. V-track is self-aligning. Flat track requires a guide wheel or roller to keep the gate centered.
A typical residential sliding gate uses 2 V-groove wheels at the bottom plus 2 guide rollers at the top. Cantilever gates use 2 trucks (4 wheels) on the building side, with the gate cantilevered into the opening — no wheel runs across the driveway opening.
Wheel size is driven by gate weight and operating speed. Lightweight residential gates use 4" wheels. Commercial gates 5-6". Automated and high-cycle commercial gates use 6" or 8" ductile iron for fatigue resistance.
Yes — V-groove wheels are operator-agnostic. The operator drives the gate; the wheel only carries the load. Any major brand sliding gate operator will work with standard 90° V-track wheels.
We stock the wheels and complete caster assemblies. V-track itself is sold by gate hardware specialists like DuraGates, Tymetal, and Liftmaster. Match your wheel diameter to track height — standard residential track works with 4" or 5" wheels.
Cast iron wheels typically last 5-10 years on residential gates. Ductile iron on automated commercial gates: 10-15 years with annual bearing lubrication. Failures are usually in the bearing — the wheel itself rarely wears out before then.
