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A caster's catalog rating assumes slow, smooth, intermittent use at room temperature. Speed, heat, impact, and continuous duty all cut into it. This tool applies the de-rating factors to a rated capacity so you size to the capacity you can actually count on, not the number on the box.
Published caster capacities are rated for manual speeds (about 3 mph), smooth floors, and intermittent duty. Powered or faster travel can cut usable capacity to half, elevated temperature de-rates elastomer wheels by a quarter or more, and frequent impact and 24/7 duty each take another bite. Multiply the rating by the factors that apply to get the real working capacity, then size casters above your actual per-caster load.
Results update as you choose.
Effective capacity = Rated × speed × temperature × shock × duty
Typical planning factors: speed 1.0 at walking pace, about 0.8 at 3–8 mph, and 0.5 powered or towed; temperature 1.0 ambient, about 0.75 in the 180–250°F band for elastomer wheels; shock 0.85 occasional and 0.7 frequent; duty 0.85 for continuous 24/7 operation. Above 250°F, the answer is a high-temperature wheel material, not just a de-rate.
These are conservative planning factors. Every manufacturer publishes its own de-rating chart for a given series; use it for the final number. Size casters so the effective working capacity stays above your actual per-caster load with margin.
Tell us the speed, temperature, and duty and we will spec a caster whose de-rated capacity still clears your load with margin.
Request a Quote →Ratings assume ideal conditions: walking speed, a smooth floor, room temperature, and intermittent use. Speed, heat, impact, and continuous duty each reduce what the caster can safely carry, so the usable capacity in your application is often well below the printed number.
As a planning rule, capacity holds at manual walking speed, drops to roughly 80 percent in the 3 to 8 mph range, and to about 50 percent for powered or towed travel above 8 mph. Use the manufacturer's speed chart for the exact series.
Yes, for elastomer wheels. Polyurethane and rubber soften and lose capacity as temperature rises, commonly losing a quarter or more by 180 to 250°F. Above that, the fix is a high-temperature wheel material such as phenolic or steel rather than a de-rate.
Reviewed by Bob Camp, Director of Caster Sales, 45+ years in the caster industry. Updated June 14, 2026.
De-rating factors are conservative planning values. Use the manufacturer's published de-rating chart for the specific caster series for final sizing. CasterHQ, Mansfield, TX · 844-439-4335.
