No matter what you plan to do with your casters, you probably want them to make your equipment mobile. You may want it to be able to freely roll across your shop floor or be able to rotate. However, at some point, you are going to want that piece of equipment to be stationary. For either safety or convenience purposes, you are going to want to try something with a lock. While this may seem like an easy choice, there are many locking casters on the market. Additionally, floor locks are also an option and provide extra security and stability. These come in different sizes, capacities, and locking mechanisms. Here is an overview of the different types and what you need to know to choose the right option.

Plate Mount Caster

This can be used indoors or in an outside work area for equipment with a flat bottom. It comes with a locking mechanism that presses on the wheel to keep it from moving.

Stem Mount Caster

This is a good option for furniture with legs and is most commonly used in kitchens and restaurants. This comes with a locking mechanism that presses against the wheel to keep an item from moving.

Locking Dolly Caster

Dolly casters are very popular and have a lot of options for customization. Unlike other locking mechanisms, a dolly lock will apply to the wheel well to prevent the wheel from turning. While it may not touch the wheel itself, this type of lock will still prevent movement.

Locking Furniture Caster

These are the smallest casters and are often popular for home or office furniture. These locks apply a brake pad to the wheel to keep it stationary.

Standard Floor Lock

This is a common floor lock that can offer extra height to your workspace when it is engaged. It is intended for level floors and wheels under 8 inches.

Double-Pedal Floor Lock

This is similar to the standard floor lock, with the main difference being the locking mechanism. Instead of having one pedal to release the floor lock, this style has two for added security. Additionally, this style generally does not have replaceable parts like a standard floor lock.

Heavy-Duty Floor Lock

Don’t worry if you have heavy equipment you want to stabilize. Heavy-duty floor locks are available. They can support up to 1,000 pounds and are still foot pedal activated. They can also accommodate the same wheel sizes as other floor locks.

There are a lot of locking options for casters. Additionally, floor locks are an option. Depending on your industry, environment, and equipment, what type of lock is best for you will vary.