Caster Loadings on Plywood

Plywood is a versatile building material used across a wide range of industrial and commercial applications, including as a floor surface beneath caster-equipped rolling equipment. Understanding how different caster types and loads interact with various plywood surfaces is essential to ensuring long-term floor performance and avoiding costly damage.

This publication is designed for: engineers, contractors, industrial manufacturers

This publication presents guidance on selecting appropriate plywood floor surfaces based on caster type, wheel load and frequency of use. It addresses key performance differences between plywood surface types and provides practical loading recommendations to help users make informed specification decisions.

Key sections include:

• Intermittent vs. repeat-track caster use conditions

• Performance of bare Group 1 and Group 2 plywood under caster loads

• Performance of Plyron under caster loads

• Behavior of HDO, MDO and FRP plywood surfaces under wheel traffic

• Recommended maximum caster loadings by wheel material, size and use condition

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.