Polyolefin vs. Polyurethane: Choosing the Right Wheel for Your Assembly Racks
When it comes to moving materials through your RV or automotive assembly line, your racks and carts are only as good as the wheels beneath them. The right wheel can help reduce strain on your team, protect your floors, and keep your workflow moving smoothly. The wrong one can lead to frustrating push/pull resistance, floor damage, and unnecessary wear on your equipment.
Two of the most commonly used wheel materials for assembly racks are polyolefin and polyurethane. While they may look similar at a glance, they perform very differently on the floor. In this article, we’ll walk through the key benefits of each and help you decide which option fits your operation best.
What to Know About Polyolefin Wheels
Polyolefin wheels are made from a hard, molded thermoplastic resin. They're lightweight, rigid, and often used in environments where cost and floor durability are the primary concerns.
Why You Might Choose Polyolefin
Economical
You’re working within a tight budget and want a durable low-cost option.
Lightweight
You’re moving lighter loads on clean, sealed concrete or epoxy-coated floors that don’t require shock absorption.
Chemical Resistance
You need chemical resistance for exposure to oils, solvents, or mild acids.
Low-Frequency Movement
Your racks mostly stay in place and are only moved occasionally for cleaning, restocking, or reconfiguration.
Polyolefin wheels work well in environments where carts are pushed short distances or repositioned a few times per day. However, they tend to be noisy, can damage floors over time, and are less forgiving when rolling over debris or rough spots.
Caster Connection offers a range of polyolefin wheel options for manufacturers who need a reliable, budget-friendly solution for static or light-use applications.
When to Upgrade to Polyurethane
Polyurethane wheels are designed for more demanding environments. They consist of a durable polyurethane tread bonded to a strong core, usually aluminum or cast iron. These wheels are known for their shock absorption, noise reduction, and ergonomic performance, particularly in environments where they are used frequently and carry heavier loads.
Benefits of Polyurethane Wheels
Noise Reduction
Roll quietly and reduce vibration, creating a more comfortable and less disruptive work environment.
Improved Ergonomics
Require less push/pull force, which helps reduce operator fatigue and the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Better Floor Protection
Provide excellent traction while minimizing damage to flooring surfaces, even under heavy loads.
Debris Resistance
Resist picking up debris such as wood chips, metal shavings, and weld slag, helping maintain smooth, uninterrupted movement across the floor.
Longer Service Life
Last significantly longer in high-use areas, reducing downtime and replacement costs over time.
At Caster Connection, polyurethane is our specialty. We offer several product lines designed to meet specific performance needs:
CC Apex
CC Apex delivers outstanding versatility, durability, and ergonomic performance. Known for its performance in both manual push/pull and towline applications, it excels at handling debris, reducing noise, and protecting floors.
SKU: CC-1210-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
SKU: CC-1010-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6R
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Apex Kingpinless Swivel Caster
SKU: CC-2110-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-KP
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Apex set - 2 swivel/2 rigid
SKU: CC-10/1210-600200-40-T1-SET4
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S/R-set-2s/2r
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Peak Maintenance-Free Swivel CC Apex Caster
SKU: CC-3110-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-EMF
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Peak Maintenance-Free Swivel CC Apex Caster w/ Extended Swivel Lead
SKU: CC-3210-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-EMF-EXT
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
CC Nexus
CC Nexus is our most modular and ergonomically advanced caster. Its multi-wheel design reduces scrubbing and rolling resistance, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications that require smooth turning and minimal push/pull effort in tight spaces or along towlines.
8" CC Nexus Kingpinless Swivel Caster - 4" X 4-1/2" top plate
SKU: CC-2115-800200-40-T1
-
- Overall Height
- 9-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Nexus Kingpinless Swivel Caster with Extended Swivel Lead - 4" X 4-1/2" top plate
SKU: CC-2215-800200-40-T1
-
- Overall Height
- 9-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Nexus Maintenance-Free Swivel Caster - 4" X 4-1/2" top plate
SKU: CC-3115-800200-40-T1
-
- Overall Height
- 9-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Nexus Rigid Caster - 4" X 4-1/2" top plate
SKU: CC-1015-800200-40-T1
-
- Overall Height
- 9-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,250 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Nexus Kingpinless Swivel Caster with Built-In Brake - 4" X 4-1/2" top plate
SKU: CC-2115-800200-40-T1-BIB
-
- Overall Height
- 9-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Nexus Heavy Duty Rigid Caster - 4-1/2" X 6-1/4" top plate
SKU: CC-1115-800300-40-T2
-
- Overall Height
- 10-1/8"
- Wt. Capacity
- 2,625 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
CC Stout HD
CC Stout HD shares the same high-quality polyurethane as CC Apex but features a cast iron core and flatter tread for higher load capacity. It is built for heavier-duty environments where strength and reliability are non-negotiable.
5" CC Stout HD Kingpinless Swivel Caster w/ Built in Brake
SKU: CC-2150-500200-40-T1-BIB
-
- Overall Height
- 6-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,050 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 5"
5" CC Stout HD Kingpinless Swivel Caster w/ Extended Swivel Lead and Built in Brake
SKU: CC-2250-500200-40-T1-BIB
-
- Overall Height
- 6-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,050 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 5"
SKU: DC-5350-600300-40-T2
ALT-SKU: GC-0250-600300-40-T2
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 2,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 3"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
8" CC Stout HD Kingpinless Swivel Caster w/ Extended Swivel Lead and Built in Brake
SKU: CC-2251-800200-40-T1-BIB
-
- Overall Height
- 9-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Axis Rigid CC Stout HD Caster
SKU: CC-7051-800200-40-T2
-
- Overall Height
- 11-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
8" CC Axis Dual-Swivel Maintenance-Free CC Stout HD Caster
SKU: CC-7151-800200-40-T2
-
- Overall Height
- 11-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,750 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 8"
If your assembly racks are moved often, carry moderate to heavy loads, or operate in towline systems or debris-prone areas, polyurethane will almost always be the better long-term choice.
