Classification of wheels and castors

Light duty, transport equipment and heavy duty castors

International standards divide wheels and castors into the following categories:

  • light-duty wheels and castors
  • wheels and castors for transport equipment
  • heavy-duty wheels and castors

Each of these are used for different applications and are subject to different test conditions.

Light duty 
Transport unit 
Heavy duty 

Blickle light-duty wheels and castors

Blickle wheels and castors for transport equipment

Blickle heavy-duty wheels and castors

Light-duty wheels and castors and compact castors are normally used indoors. They are designed to handle speeds of up to 3 km/h. They have a load capacity of up to 280 kg (light-duty wheels and castors) or 1,750 kg (compact castors). They maximise manouevrability and smooth rolling performance while reducing rolling resistance. They are typically used for medical equipment, display stands, industrial kitchen equipment and similar applications. The load capacity of Blickle light-duty wheels and castors and compact castors is tested on a rotating bench in accordance with DIN EN 12530 / ISO 22881

The main test conditions:

  • speed: 3 km/h
  • temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
  • hard, horizontal surface with obstacles with a height equal to 3 % of the wheel diameter
  • test duration: the number of times that obstacles are crossed is equivalent to ten times the wheel diameter (in millimeters)
  • rest time: max. 3 minutes after 3 minutes running time

 

Wheels and castors for transport equipment are used for indoor and outdoor industrial applications. They are designed to handle speeds of up to 4 km/h. They have a load capacity of up to 1,000 kg. Wheels and castors for transport equipment are resistant to environmental factors, largely maintenance-free and capable of functioning properly for long periods. They are typically used for machinery and equipment of all kinds, in addition to pallets, scaffolding, waste containers and the like. The load capacity of Blickle wheels and castors for transport equipment is tested on a rotating bench in accordance with DIN EN 12532 / ISO 22883.

The main test conditions:

  • speed: 4 km/h
  • temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
  • hard, horizontal surface with obstacles at the following height:
    5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with soft tread (hardness < 90 Shore A)
    2.5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with hard tread (hardness ≥ 90 Shore A)
  • test duration: 15,000 revolutions with a minimum of 500 crossing obstacles
  • rest time: max. 1 minute after 3 minutes running time

 

Heavy-duty wheels and castors are used to handle heavy loads and / or high speeds. They are particularly strong in their design. Castors with two wheels (twin wheel castors) are also used in this area to handle particularly heavy loads. Spring-loaded castors are particularly suitable when there is a need to avoid vibration during transport. They are typically used on forklift trucks and industrial trucks, assembly and transport systems and similar equipment. The load capacity of Blickle heavy-duty wheels and castors is tested on a rotating bench at a speed of 4 km/h in accordance with DIN EN 12532 / ISO 22883. Wheels and castors designed for higher speeds are tested for load capacity in accordance with DIN EN 12533 / ISO 22884.

The main test conditions according to DIN EN 12532 / ISO 22883:

  • speed: 4 km/h
  • temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
  • hard, horizontal surface with obstacles at the following height:
    5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with soft tread (hardness < 90 Shore A)
    2.5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with hard tread (hardness ≥ 90 Shore A)
  • test duration: 15,000 revolutions with a minimum of 500 crossing obstacles
  • rest time: max. 1 minute after 3 minutes running time

The main test conditions according to DIN EN 12533 / ISO 22884:
  • speed: 6 km/h, 10 km/h, 16 km/h, 25 km/h (standard: max. 16 km/h)
  • temperature: +15 °C to +28 °C
  • hard, horizontal surface with obstacles at the following height:
    5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with soft tread (hardness < 90 Shore A)
    2.5 % of wheel diameter for wheels with hard tread (hardness ≥ 90 Shore A)
  • test duration: the number of times that obstacles are crossed is equal to five times the wheel diameter (in millimeters)
  • rest time: max. 1 minute after 3 minutes running time