Overview
Polyurethane caster wheels are one of the best choices for heavy industrial use. They protect your floors, reduce rolling effort, and last longer than most other wheel materials. Whether you’re outfitting a warehouse cart or a towline, polyurethane delivers.
At Barron, we carry two tiers: our proven standard polyurethane wheels and Blickle’s premium compounds.
Both perform well. The right choice depends on your load, speed, and environment.
Both perform well. The right choice depends on your load, speed, and environment.
Why Choose Polyurethane?
Polyurethane wheels outperform rubber and plastic in several key areas:
- Floor protection — non-marking tread won’t stain or scratch your floors
- Long service life — can last up to three times longer than rubber wheels
- Low rolling resistance — easier to push, pull, and steer
- High load capacity — handles heavy loads without deforming
- High tear resistance — holds up in debris-heavy environments
Standard Polyurethane Caster Wheels
Our standard polyurethane wheels carry between 500 and 1,500 lbs per wheel. The tread bonds directly to the wheel core — aluminum, polyolefin, or cast iron. This double-bond design prevents the tread from separating under load.
These wheels work in temperatures from -40°F to +180°F. They’re a proven choice for towline and continuous-use applications.
Bearing options include ball bearing, roller bearing, and Delrin bearing.
Standard wheel core options and part number suffixes:
| Suffix | Construction |
|---|---|
| APB | Polyurethane/Aluminum Core — Ball Bearing |
| RAPB | High Capacity Polyurethane/Aluminum Core — Radius Tread — Ball Bearing |
| UPD | Polyurethane/Polyolefin Core — Delrin Bearing |
| UPR | Polyurethane/Polyolefin Core — Roller Bearing |
| UPB | Polyurethane/Polyolefin Core — Ball Bearing |
| UPP | Polyurethane/Polyolefin Core — Plain Bearing |
| UPSSD | Polyurethane/Polyolefin Core — Stainless Steel Rig — Delrin Bearing |
| UIR | Polyurethane/Cast Iron Core — Roller Bearing |
| UIB | Polyurethane/Cast Iron Core — Ball Bearing |
These standard wheels are available across Barron’s 40/41 Series Industrial Casters, 60/61 Series Kingpinless Casters, and 70/71 Series Heavy Duty Kingpinless Casters.
Shop Barron Equipment’s standard Polyurethane Casters
Blickle Premium Polyurethane Wheels
In addition to standard Polyurethane casters, Barron Equipment offers premium Blickle casters. For operations requiring specialized performance — such as driverless transport systems (AGVs), conveyor technology, high-speed movement, or hygiene-sensitive environments — Blickle’s proprietary polyurethane compounds deliver precision-engineered solutions that standard formulations cannot match.
Blickle was the first German wheel and caster manufacturer to be DIN EN ISO 9001 certified, in 1994. Their team tests every formula using advanced lab equipment and they are continuously working to improve polyurethane formulas.
Blickle Extrathane® — All-Purpose Performance
Extrathane® has a hard tread at 92 Shore A. It handles a wide range of industrial loads. It rolls smoothly, resists most chemicals, and is available in an antistatic version.
Best for: General intralogistics, manufacturing, and mobile equipment.
Blickle Softhane® — Extra-Gentle Floor Protection
Softhane® uses the same base material as Extrathane® but at a softer 75 Shore A. The tread is thicker and more elastic. It rolls quietly and protects sensitive floor surfaces. An antistatic version is available.
Best for: Facilities with polished or finished floors where marking must be avoided.
Blickle Besthane® — Built for Speed
Besthane® is hard at 92 Shore A and uses a different base formula than Extrathane®. This makes it hydrolysis resistant — it won’t break down in wet or humid conditions. It has the lowest rolling resistance of any Blickle compound. It runs at up to 25 km/h.
Best for: AGVs, conveyor systems, and hygiene-sensitive environments.
Blickle Besthane® Soft — Floor Care Meets High Performance
Besthane® Soft is the softer version of Besthane® at 75 Shore A. It keeps the same hydrolysis resistance but adds a more elastic, floor-friendly tread. It also runs at up to 25 km/h.
Best for: Food processing, pharma, healthcare, and other hygiene-critical environments.
Blickle Polyurethane Compound Comparison
With a wide variety of options, it can be challenging to choose the correct caster for your application. Check out the table below to determine which polyurethane compound would work best.
| Property | Extrathane® | Softhane® | Besthane® | Besthane® Soft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 92 Shore A | 75 Shore A | 92 Shore A | 75 Shore A |
| Rolling Resistance | 0.9% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| Rebound Resilience | 42% | 57% | 65% | 75% |
| Max Speed | 16 km/h | 16 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Hydrolysis Resistant | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Antistatic Version | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Best For | General Use | Floor Preservation | AGV/Conveyor | Hygiene + AGV |
Shop Blickle’s Polyurethane Casters
Where Are These Wheels Used?
You’ll find polyurethane caster wheels across many industries:
- Manufacturing and warehousing — platform trucks, carts, tow lines
- Food processing — non-marking and washdown-compatible options available
- Automotive and aerospace — heavy assembly with floor protection
- Woodworking — handles rough surfaces and debris well
- Bakeries and food service — safe in food-adjacent environments
- AGV systems — Besthane® for automated, high-speed use
How to Choose the Right Polyurethane Wheel
Use the selector below to find the best wheel for your application.
Recommended Wheel
Selection Assistance
Not sure which wheel fits your operation? Our caster team works with manufacturers, warehouses, and food facilities every day. We can match the right wheel to your load, floor type, and speed requirements.
Email us at casters@barroneq.com or fill out the form below. A Barron caster specialist will be in touch soon.