Swivel castors represent one of the core categories within castor systems. They denote modular mobility components featuring a bearing structure at the base of the bracket that permits 360° free rotation, enabling flexible adjustment of the rolling trajectory according to the direction of applied force. Through its combined design of a ‘rotating bracket + rolling wheel’, it overcomes the limitation of fixed castors being ‘restricted to linear movement only’, enabling objects to achieve flexible, omnidirectional steering. This makes it a key component for achieving the ‘free movement’ of equipment and furniture.

Core Characteristics of Swivel casters: Balancing Flexibility and Practicality

Compared to fixed casters, Swivel Casters' primary advantage lies in their ‘manoeuvring flexibility,’ while additional design features enhance practicality. Key characteristics include:

360° unrestricted turning: The core advantage is ‘turn as you push’ – no deliberate directional adjustment is required. Simply apply force in the desired direction, and the rotating bearing will automatically steer the wheel assembly, enabling objects to move along any trajectory (e.g., effortless shopping trolley turns, flexible office chair positioning). This is particularly suited to confined spaces or scenarios requiring frequent directional changes.

Often paired with ‘braking functionality’: To address potential slippage from ‘agile steering’, most swivel castors incorporate dual-braking systems (some feature single brakes):

Wheel-face braking: Clamps the wheel with brake pads to prevent rotation;

Swivel lock brake: Simultaneously secures both the ‘rotating bearing’ and the “wheel”, preventing both wheel rotation and bracket movement. This effectively transforms the swivel castor into a ‘fixed castor’ for temporary immobilisation, suitable for scenarios requiring momentary stability (e.g., medical trolleys, kitchen shelving units).

Materials and specifications adaptable to diverse scenarios: Wheel material, bracket material, and load capacity can be customised to meet varying requirements:

Materials: Rubber/PU wheels for indoor settings (quiet operation, scratch-resistant), nylon/steel wheels for industrial environments (wear-resistant, high load capacity);

Load Capacity: Specifications range from light-duty (<50kg, e.g., office chairs) to heavy-duty (>1000kg, e.g., industrial equipment) to accommodate diverse load requirements.

Controllable steering smoothness: Precision of rotating bearings determines steering experience — premium swivel castors employ precision ball bearings for low steering resistance, enabling effortless directional changes with minimal force (e.g., pushchairs, precision instrument castors). Certain industrial swivel castors incorporate ‘steering damping’ to prevent overly sensitive turning due to inertia (e.g., heavy-duty logistics trolleys).