Application guide — sizing, models and mounting advice from the manufacturer
A machine tool has two conflicting requirements: it must not move while it is cutting, and it has to be movable when the shop is rearranged or the machine needs maintenance access. Leveling casters are the standard answer — and on a lathe they do a third job, because a bed that is twisted cuts a taper.
A lathe bed picks up twist from however its stand is sitting on the floor. Independent pads let you take that out and hold it, so the machine cuts true instead of tapering.
The pad takes the load off the wheel and puts it into a solid foot, so the machine is not sitting on four springs. That matters for surface finish and for tool life.
Pull a machine out to change a motor or clean behind it, then push it back and re-level. No skates, no crane, no rigging team.
Nylon wheels and a plated or aluminium bracket shrug off coolant, chips and cutting oil. Rusted, seized casters are the usual reason a movable machine stops being movable.
Size on the machine weight plus the workpiece, and allow a margin. A bench lathe at 400 kg with a 100 kg workpiece is 500 kg over four casters — 125 kg each, so DC-60F at 250 kg is ample. A turret mill or a larger centre lathe at 1,500 kg plus work is 400–500 kg per caster with a margin, so DC-80F at 500 kg. Very heavy machine bases go to DCT-80 or DCU-80 at 1,100 kg. If the machine is tall and narrow (a drill press or a bandsaw), favour a low center of gravity model for stability over a higher-rated top-plate caster.
| Model | Per caster | Mounting | Why it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC-60F | 250 kg (550 lb) | Top plate | Bench lathes, small mills, drill presses |
| DC-80F | 500 kg (1,100 lb) | Top plate | Centre lathes, mills and surface grinders |
| DC-100F | 750 kg (1,655 lb) | Top plate | Large lathes and heavy machine bases |
| DCT-80 | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) | Top plate, low profile | Very heavy machine bases that must mount low |
| DCST-60F | 590 kg (1,300 lb) | Top plate, stainless | Machines in a wash-down or high-humidity area |
Nylon is the default in a machine shop: unaffected by coolant and cutting oil, rolls over swarf without picking it up, and does not mark. Polyurethane is quieter where the machine shares a floor with inspection or assembly. Avoid rubber unless the floor is delicate — oil and coolant shorten its life.
Yes, and it is common for lathes that need to move for maintenance or relayout. Level the machine with a precision level after every move, because a lathe bed twists easily and a twisted bed cuts a taper.
No — and usually less. The pad takes the load off the wheel and transfers it into a solid foot, so the machine is not resting on four resilient wheels. Vibration is damped, which helps surface finish.
Something low and stable rather than highly rated. These machines are tall and narrow, so tipping matters more than capacity. A low center of gravity model such as DC-600 or DC-800 keeps the wheel inside the base footprint.
Nylon wheels and our standard brackets cope with coolant and cutting oil. If the machine is in a wash-down area, our stainless steel DCST range is the right choice.
Tell us the equipment weight, how many casters you plan to fit, the mounting you have and the floor it runs on, and we will come back with a model, a price and a lead time. Need the geometry first? Request the 2D drawing and 3D model and we will send them once your mounting is confirmed. If you are still choosing, the leveling caster buyer’s guide walks through load calculation and materials, and the applications index lists every scenario we build for. Factory profile, certifications and commercial terms are on the leveling caster manufacturer in China page, with quantities, MOQ and payment terms on the wholesale & OEM terms page.
Contact us for OEM/ODM inquiries, bulk pricing, or custom specifications. Free samples available!
