Automotive Solutions

Phenolic, polyolefin, and glass-filled nylon wheels offer the best resistance to motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and common shop solvents. Polyurethane wheels also perform well in most automotive environments. Avoid standard rubber wheels, which swell and degrade when exposed to petroleum-based fluids over time.

A typical V8 engine weighs 400-700 lbs, and the stand itself adds another 50-150 lbs. With a four-caster configuration, each caster should be rated for at least 300 lbs to carry the static load. However, you should select casters rated for 500 lbs or more per caster to account for the dynamic forces generated when rolling the stand across uneven shop floors.

Most tool carts perform best with a two-swivel, two-rigid configuration. The rigid casters provide directional stability and straight-line tracking, while the swivel casters enable turning. For carts that need to move in any direction—like under-vehicle creepers or parts carts used in tight bays—four swivel casters with at least two equipped with brakes are the better choice.

Polyurethane wheels are the best option for protecting coated concrete floors. They are non-marking, distribute load pressure across a wider footprint than hard wheels, and roll quietly. Avoid metal wheels and hard phenolic wheels on epoxy or polyurea coatings, as they can scratch and chip the surface under heavy loads.