The below capacity ranges indicate the working (dynamic) load that each caster will support. A safety factor should be included in your formula to determine your required load rating per caster.
W/(C-1)=R W is total weight needed to move. C is total number of casters required. R is ideal load rating, with safety factor built in. Divide the total load weight by one less caster than you will use to safely determine load rating.
Plate dimensions shown are overall mounting plate size. When replacing existing casters, select the closest plate size and verify bolt-hole compatibility. BHP = Bolt Hole Pattern, shown under each plate.
Light duty casters handle up to 350 lbs per caster and are the go-to choice for offices, retail stores, hospitality, healthcare facilities, and residential furniture. CasterHQ stocks light duty casters in rubber, polyurethane, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and nylon wheels from 2" to 5" — available with top plate, threaded stem, grip ring, and expanding adapter mounts. Most ship same day from our network of over $100 million in U.S. warehouse inventory.
JW
Jordan Wilson
Industrial Caster Specialist | 15+ Years in Caster Engineering
Access to $100M+ in-stock U.S. caster inventory
Application Engineers On Staff · ISO-Certified Facility · Trusted by 50,000+ Businesses Nationwide
Reviewed by CasterHQ Engineering — 100+ Combined Years in Caster Design, Selection & Application
350 lbs
Max Capacity
3″–5″
Wheel Range
Zinc Plated
Rust-Resistant
Why CasterHQ Caster Frames?
Precision-drilled holes for exact wheel bore fit
Zinc plating resists rust in wet environments
Fits 3″–5″ wheels including stem and grip-ring styles
What Is a Caster Frame and Why Does the 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ Plate Matter?
The 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ plate is the standard light-to-medium duty mounting size, matching the bolt patterns on office chairs, retail display carts, medical equipment, and hospitality carts.
This plate size is the most common caster frame in light-duty applications. The hole centers measure 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″, compatible with the vast majority of 5/16″-18 bolt patterns found on institutional and commercial equipment. Before ordering, measure your existing hole pattern — not the plate edge, but center-to-center of the mounting holes.
Which Wheel Sizes Fit the 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ Plate Frame?
This frame accommodates wheels from 3″ to 5″ in diameter. The leg width is sized for the narrower hub spans found in these smaller wheels.
Common pairings include 4″ polyurethane for smooth floor warehouses, 3″ rubber for office and healthcare, and 5″ nylon for retail fixtures. Available bore sizes run 3/8″, 1/2″, and 5/8″ to match wheel hub specifications. Always confirm bore diameter before purchasing — the most common mistake is ordering by wheel size alone.
What Load Capacity Does the 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ Frame Support?
Frames in this size support up to 350 lbs per caster for most applications. For a 4-caster cart, that's up to 1,400 lbs total distributed load.
Swivel frames carry slightly less than rigid in dynamic applications due to the swivel bearing. At 250–300 lbs per caster in high-cycle environments (daily heavy use), inspect frames every 6 months for fork leg fatigue. The zinc plating on these frames is cosmetic protection — structural integrity comes from the stamped steel grade.
Swivel vs. Rigid: Which Frame Type for Light-Duty Equipment?
Most light-duty carts use 2 swivel in front, 2 rigid in rear. Swivel frames give maneuverability; rigid frames keep the cart tracking straight with less push effort.
All-swivel works well for medical carts and display fixtures that need to turn in tight spaces. For food service carts pushed long distances, the 2-swivel/2-rigid split reduces operator fatigue significantly. Our zinc-plated frames in this size are available in both configurations with identical plate dimensions for easy mixing.
Why Zinc-Plated Frames Last Longer Than Bare Steel in Everyday Use
Zinc plating prevents surface rust that leads to dimensional creep, sticking swivel bearings, and eventual fork failure in typical warehouse and commercial environments.
In humid environments, bare steel frames develop rust that can lock swivel bearings within weeks and cause bore corrosion that grips the axle. Zinc-plated frames resist this for years under normal use. For food service where zinc isn't food-safe, check our stainless steel frame options. Zinc frames need no maintenance under normal conditions.
Can I Replace a Single Frame Without Matching the Whole Set?
Yes — replace individual frames as they fail without replacing the entire caster set. Just match the plate size, bore diameter, and swivel vs. rigid configuration.
If one frame bends, the others are likely near end-of-life too (same load cycles). Inspect all four when replacing one. The 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ plate frame is one of the most stocked sizes — available for same-day shipping on most bore sizes and wheel diameter combinations.
THE RIGHT FRAME FORMULA
Right Frame = Plate Match + Bore Size + Load Class + Swivel or Rigid
Confirm 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ bolt pattern, axle bore, and per-caster load before ordering.
PRODUCT INTELLIGENCE
Quick SpecsSizes, capacities, and mount options at a glance
Attribute
Spec
Plate Size
2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″
Hole Pattern
1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″
Wheel Range
3″–5″ diameter
Bore Sizes
3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″
Max Capacity
Up to 350 lbs
Material
Stamped steel
Finish
Zinc plated
Pro Tip: The 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ plate is the most common light-duty frame. If unsure, measure the diagonal of your 4 mounting holes — ~4-3/8″ diagonal = this is your size.
Application GuideWhere these casters work best and which wheel to choose
HealthcareMedical carts, IV poles, and equipment requiring quiet smooth-rolling 4″ wheels
HospitalityHotel luggage carts, food service carts, and janitorial equipment
Frame ReplacementDirect replacement for bent or worn frames on light-duty commercial equipment
Light Duty vs. Medium Heavy Duty — Head to HeadSide-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tier
Feature
Swivel Frame
Rigid Frame
Direction
360° rotation
★ Fixed straight
Maneuverability
★ Tight spaces
Straight runs only
Push effort
Higher
★ Lower
Best use
★ Office/medical
Long-haul carts
Noise
More swivel noise
★ Quieter
Cost
Slightly higher
★ Lower cost
Selection Tips from Our TeamPractical advice for choosing the right caster
1Measure hole centers, not plate edges. The 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ plate has 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″ hole centers — a different measurement that often causes ordering errors.
2Match bore diameter to wheel hub. 4″ polyurethane wheels typically use 1/2″ bore; 3″ rubber wheels often use 3/8″. Wrong bore = axle wobble from day one.
3For medical and food-service environments, zinc plating is acceptable for most applications. Ask about stainless frames if direct food contact or autoclave cleaning is required.
42 swivel + 2 rigid is the best default configuration. All-swivel is fine for office chairs and medical carts but requires noticeably more pushing effort on loaded carts.
FAQsQuick answers to the most common questions
What bolt pattern is the 2-3/8″ × 3-5/8″ plate?
Hole centers are 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″. Standard bolt size is 5/16″-18. Measure center-to-center, not plate edge.
What is the most common wheel paired with this frame?
4″ polyurethane is the most common pairing for smooth floors. 3″ rubber for quiet office use, 5″ nylon for retail fixtures.
Can I use this frame outdoors?
Zinc plating handles light outdoor exposure. For prolonged wet or salt environments, consider stainless steel frames.
How do I know if this frame fits my existing equipment?
Measure the hole center-to-center on your equipment: if it’s 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″, this frame fits. Also confirm the bolt size (typically 5/16″-18).
Do you sell matching axles for these frames?
Yes — see our Axles & Nuts collection for replacement axles in 3/8″, 1/2″, and 5/8″ diameters.
⚙ Engineer Pro Tip For 3″–5″ frames, torque axle nuts to 15–20 ft-lbs on 3/8″ axles and 20–25 ft-lbs on 1/2″. Finger-tight-plus-a-quarter-turn is the field shortcut but a torque wrench prevents the most common failure: loose axle nuts that let wheels wobble and wear the bore oval within a week.
Common Mistakes When Selecting Small Caster Frames
Ordering by plate size alone without confirming 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″ hole centers
Mismatching bore diameter — 3/8″ vs 1/2″ is the most common ordering error on small frames
Using all-swivel on push-heavy carts — wears swivel bearings fast and increases operator fatigue
Ignoring a bent leg — even slight bends put the axle out of horizontal, causing uneven tire wear
Not sure which light duty casters fits your application?
Our team has equipped 50,000+ businesses with the right casters from over $100 million in U.S. warehouse inventory. Tell us your application and we'll match you in minutes.
"CasterHQ helped us replace every caster in our facility in under 10 minutes on the phone. Perfect fit, zero hassle." — Facility Manager, Regional Industrial Network
