In the world of casters, the most fundamental and important classification criterion is their steering capability. The two basic types derived from this — Fixed Casters and Swivel Casters — form the foundation of almost all mobile equipment solutions. Understanding their essential differences, advantages and disadvantages, and how to combine them is the first step in making the correct selection.

I. Fixed Caster: The Stable Cornerstone for Directional Travel

• Definition & Structure: A fixed caster, also known as a rigid or non-swivel caster. Its bracket and wheel are rigidly connected with no steering mechanism designed between them.

• Working Principle: The wheel can only rotate around a fixed horizontal axis, so it strictly follows the preset installation direction for linear rolling and cannot steer left or right on its own.

• Core Characteristics:

  • High Stability: Due to the lack of moving joints, the structure is more robust under load and motion, with strong lateral impact resistance.

  • Low Maintenance: Simple structure, fewer moving parts, fewer wear points, resulting in lower maintenance needs.

  • Low Rolling Resistance: When pushing in a straight line, it is usually more effortless than a swivel caster of the same specification.

• Typical Applications:

  • Front wheels of handcarts and logistics cage trolleys (paired with rear swivel casters).

  • Heavy equipment requiring long-distance linear transport.

  • Equipment with strict requirements for movement trajectory, such as large machine tools for positioning moves.

  • Drive wheels for AGVs (usually fixed wheels, driven by a motor).

II. Swivel Caster: The Flexible Joint for Omnidirectional Movement

• Definition & Structure: A swivel caster, known as the universal wheel. It features a vertical swivel axle (or raceway) system above the wheel, allowing the wheel to be mounted on a bracket that can rotate horizontally.

• Working Principle: The wheel can not only rotate on its own, but its entire bracket can also drive the wheel to rotate 360 degrees freely around the vertical axis. This allows installed equipment to be easily pushed in any direction.

• Core Characteristics:

  • Superior Maneuverability: Enables on-the-spot rotation and lateral movement in confined spaces, with unrestricted movement paths.

  • Steering Flexibility: The ease of steering is influenced by wheel material, size, and turning radius. Typically, hard, narrow wheels are easier to steer than soft, wide ones.

  • Relatively Complex Structure: Contains more moving parts like the swivel axle and ball bearings, requiring higher manufacturing precision.

• Typical Applications:

  • Office chairs, supermarket shopping carts, hospital beds (almost exclusively use swivel casters).

  • Rear wheels of handcarts and service trolleys (paired with front fixed casters).

  • Lightweight equipment and display cabinets requiring frequent position and direction adjustments.

  • Non-driving ends of robotic platforms to allow flexible steering of the platform.

III. The Golden Combination: How to Mix and Use Both Types of Casters

It is rare for equipment to use only one type of caster exclusively. The classic combination is "fixed in front, swivel in back" or "fixed on the sides, swivel in the middle." For example:

• A four-wheel handcart with two fixed casters in the front and two swivel casters in the back.

• Principle: The fixed wheels are responsible for guidance and main load-bearing, providing a stable linear travel path. The rear swivel wheels act like a "rudder"; simply pushing the handle sideways applies lateral force, causing the rear wheels to steer, thereby achieving easy turning. This combination strikes the best balance between controllability, stability, and cost.

IV. Beyond the Basics: Our Professional Types and Solutions

As a professional manufacturer, we offer far more than these two basic types. Based on core principles, we have developed optimized proprietary series targeting pain points in different industries:

• Industrial Heavy-Duty Shock-Absorbing Casters: Integrate shock-absorbing structures into heavy-duty swivel casters to protect expensive equipment from impacts when moving on rough ground.

• Medical Quiet Swivel Casters: Use specially modified polyurethane (PU) wheels and ultra-quiet bearings to ensure flexibility while achieving near-silent movement and meeting hygiene requirements for easy cleaning and disinfection.

• Low-Profile Fixed Casters: Specifically designed for high-center-of-gravity equipment like CNC machines and measuring platforms. By lowering the installation height, they bring the equipment's center of gravity closer to the ground, significantly improving anti-tip stability during movement and while stationary, ensuring safety and precision.

Choosing us means you not only get the most classic and reliable two basic types of casters but also receive professional solutions that are deeply optimized and perfectly matched to your application scenarios. We help you progress from "usable" to "easy to use," and further to "safe and durable use."