Caster load capacity calculator

Required load capacity per caster = (Total load × Safety factor) ÷ Number of supporting casters

“Total Load” is the dead weight of the equipment (E) plus the maximum additional load (Z).

“Safety Factor” is an additional allowance used to account for real-world operating conditions such as uneven load distribution, higher travelling speeds, floor irregularities, obstacles, impacts, and other deviations from ideal test conditions. It typically ranges from 1.0 to 3.0, although the specific value can vary depending on the application and industry standards.

A safety factor of 1.33 (33%) is commonly used as a general allowance, but the appropriate factor depends on operating conditions.

• Safety factor: 1.0 to 1.5, for indoor manual transport, when the height of the obstacles is smaller than 5% of the wheel diameter.
• Safety factor: 1.5 to 2.2, for outdoor manual transport, when the height of the obstacles is bigger than 5% of the wheel diameter.
• Safety factor: 1.4 to 2.0, for indoor power-driven transport, when the height of the obstacles is smaller than 5% of the wheel diameter.
• Safety factor: 2.0 to 3.0, for outdoor power-driven transport.