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Medical Caster Wheels: Parts, Materials, Uses

Posted by Kyle Kim on Oct 27th 2026

What medical caster wheels are

A medical caster wheel (also spelled castor in some regions) is a wheeled assembly fitted to the underside of healthcare equipment to allow controlled, multi-directional movement across floor surfaces. Understanding what a medical caster is made of, how its parts are named, and what load it carries is the starting point for any selection decision.

The Carrymaster® medical plastic casters from Zambus are a 30-product line in three series, all swivel, all rated as light-duty. For guidance on standards, certifications, and cleanability requirements, see the medical caster wheels standards and braking guide.

The parts of a medical caster

A medical caster is an assembly of several distinct parts. On the Carrymaster medical plastic line, the product pages identify the following components and their materials.

Top plate and bolt

The top plate and bolt on the ACMC and ACMCT series are made from SPC and S20C steel with zinc treatment. The ACMCH series product pages do not list a top plate. That covers 28 of the 30 products; only the two ACMCH models list no top plate and bolt.

Frame

  • ACMC series: frame material is PA6 (polyamide 6, a nylon-family engineering plastic).

  • ACMCT series: frame material is ABS on the 76 and 102 size codes, and Nylon on the 127 size code.

  • ACMCH series: frame material is PA6.

Wheel core

  • ACMC series: wheel core is PP (polypropylene).

  • ACMCT series: wheel core is ABS on the 76 and 102 size codes, and Nylon on the 127 size code.

  • ACMCH series: wheel core is PP.

Wheel (tread)

The Carrymaster medical line uses two tread materials across its three series:

  • ACMC and ACMCH series: wheel tread is TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber).

  • ACMCT series: wheel tread is PA + PU (polyamide plus polyurethane).

These are the only two wheel materials in the 30-product Carrymaster medical plastic range.

Brake

Every size code in all three series is available with a brake. The braked and unbraked versions of each product carry the identical load rating. The Carrymaster medical product pages do not describe the brake mechanism. For questions about brake types and configuration, contact Zambus directly.

What the product pages do not list

The product pages do not state stem thread dimensions, bolt pattern dimensions, plate dimensions, or overall caster height. Each product page includes a dimension drawing; use that drawing for fit verification rather than relying on general specifications.

Wheel materials: TPR and PA + PU

The Carrymaster medical plastic line uses two distinct wheel tread materials. Which series uses which is fixed by the catalogue:

  • TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber): used on the ACMC and ACMCH series.

  • PA + PU (polyamide plus polyurethane): used on the ACMCT series.

TPR: Thermo Plastic Rubber

On the Carrymaster ACMC and ACMCH product pages, the wheel tread is listed as TPR. The product pages describe the caster as offering "Easy Pivoting & Quiet Rolling" and a "Light Weight & Corrosion-Resistant Structure." Those are the descriptions stated on the product pages. The pages do not make additional claims about floor marking, noise levels, or chemical compatibility.

PA + PU: Polyamide plus Polyurethane

PA + PU indicates a wheel tread that combines polyamide (a nylon-family plastic) with polyurethane. On the Carrymaster ACMCT series, this combination is used for the wheel tread across all three size codes. As with the TPR series, the product pages describe the caster as offering "Easy Pivoting & Quiet Rolling" and a "Light Weight & Corrosion-Resistant Structure." No additional material performance claims appear on the ACMCT product pages.

How the two treads split across the range

TPR is the tread on 18 of the 30 Carrymaster medical plastic casters: all 16 ACMC models and both ACMCH models. PA + PU is the tread on the other 12, all of them ACMCT. Within the ACMCT series, the frame and wheel core change with size: the 8 models at size codes 76 and 102 use ABS for both, and the 4 models at size code 127 use Nylon for both, while the PA + PU tread stays the same across all 12. Between the ACMC and ACMCH series, the listed frame, wheel core and tread are the same: PA6, PP and TPR.

Comparing the two materials

The Carrymaster medical product pages do not compare TPR and PA + PU against each other. For a detailed look at how TPR, polyurethane, and nylon-family materials perform across different floor conditions and load types, see the caster wheel materials guide.

The practical distinction for selection purposes is that the ACMC and ACMCH series use TPR treads, while the ACMCT series uses PA + PU treads. If you need guidance on which wheel material is right for a specific application, contact Zambus at (973) 777-4922 or sales@zambus.com.

Swivel, brakes and mounting options

Swivel configuration

All 30 products in the Carrymaster medical plastic line are swivel casters. There is no rigid medical plastic caster in this range. For guidance on when to combine swivel and rigid casters on the same piece of equipment, see the swivel vs rigid casters configuration guide.

Brake options

Every size code across all three series is available in two versions: with a brake and without. The braked and unbraked versions of each product carry the identical load rating per caster. The Carrymaster medical product pages do not describe the brake mechanism. If you need to understand what the brake engages or how it is operated, contact Zambus before ordering.

Mounting options

The mount is the method by which the caster attaches to the equipment frame. The Carrymaster medical plastic line offers three mount types, depending on series and size code:

  • Flange mount: a flat plate with bolt holes. Available on ACMC and ACMCT, all size codes. The ACMCH mount type is not stated on its product pages.

  • Stem mount: a stem that inserts into a socket or tube on the equipment frame. Available on ACMC (all size codes) and ACMCT (all size codes).

  • Round stem mount: a round stem variant. Available on ACMC 102 and 127 size codes only.

For ACMCH mounting information, contact Zambus.

For a detailed comparison of flange and stem mounting methods, including how to measure for fit, see the stem vs flange casters guide.

Mount types by product count

Counted by product, the 30 Carrymaster medical plastic casters break down into 12 flange-mount models (6 ACMC, 6 ACMCT), 12 stem-mount models (6 ACMC, 6 ACMCT), 4 round stem models (ACMC 102 and 127, with and without brake) and the 2 ACMCH models, whose mount type is not stated. Exactly half of the line, 15 of the 30 products, are braked versions: 8 ACMC, 6 ACMCT and 1 ACMCH.

Note: The product pages do not publish stem dimensions, bolt patterns, or plate hole spacing. Use the dimension drawing on each product page to verify fit with your equipment frame.

Sizes and load ratings

The Carrymaster medical plastic line spans three wheel-size bands, identified by size code: 76, 102, and 127. These correspond to the wheel-size facets on the Zambus wheel size browse page: 2 to 3 inches, 4 to 5 inches, and over 5 inches respectively.

Load ratings are stated per caster in pounds. For guidance on how to calculate the total equipment load across a set of casters, see the caster wheel load capacity guide.

The ratings table reproduces the full catalogue for the 30-product Carrymaster medical plastic line. All products are swivel. Within every row, the braked and unbraked versions carry the identical rating.

Series

Size code

Capacity lbs/ea

Wheel-size facet

Mounts available (each with and without brake)

ACMC

76

198.42

2 to 3 in

Flange, stem

ACMC

102

264.55

4 to 5 in

Flange, stem, round stem

ACMC

127

297.62

Over 5 in

Flange, stem, round stem

ACMCT

76

132.28

2 to 3 in

Flange, stem

ACMCT

102

176.37

4 to 5 in

Flange, stem

ACMCT

127

220.46

Over 5 in

Flange, stem

ACMCH

127

198.42

Over 5 in

Mount type not stated

Reading the table:

  • The ACMC series covers all three size codes and carries the highest ratings in the range, from 198.42 lbs per caster at size 76 to 297.62 lbs per caster at size 127.

  • The ACMCT series also covers all three size codes, with ratings from 132.28 lbs per caster at size 76 to 220.46 lbs per caster at size 127.

  • The ACMCH series is available in size 127 only, at 198.42 lbs per caster. The mount type is not stated on the product pages.

  • Product counts: ACMC 16 products, ACMCT 12 products, ACMCH 2 products, totaling 30 products across the medical plastic line.

The choice at each size code

Size code 76, the 2 to 3 inch band, offers 8 products across ACMC and ACMCT, rated 132.28 to 198.42 lbs per caster. Size code 102, the 4 to 5 inch band, offers 10 products across ACMC and ACMCT, rated 176.37 to 264.55 lbs per caster. Size code 127, the over 5 inch band, offers 12 products across all three series, rated 198.42 to 297.62 lbs per caster. The largest band carries the most models and the widest spread of ratings.

At the same size code, the ACMC series consistently carries a higher rating than the ACMCT series. The ACMCH at size 127 matches the ACMC at size 76 in rating (198.42 lbs per caster) but is only available in the larger wheel size.

Where medical caster wheels are used

The Carrymaster medical plastic caster product pages list three application areas: hospital beds, medical devices, and light trolleys and carts.

Medical devices

Medical devices that require repositioning between uses are a primary application for medical casters. The caster provides the mobility that allows equipment to be moved to a patient, relocated between rooms, or stored when not in use. The Carrymaster medical plastic line is rated as light-duty, so the equipment weight must fall within the per-caster rating for the selected size code (see the ratings table).

Light trolleys and carts

Light trolleys and carts in clinical and support areas use medical casters to move supplies, instruments, and equipment around a facility. The Carrymaster product pages describe the application as "Light Load of Trolley & Carts." If you are replacing casters on an existing cart, including how to identify the correct size and mount type, see the medical cart caster replacement guide.

Hospital beds

Hospital beds are listed in the Carrymaster application line; bed-specific selection is covered in the hospital bed caster guide.

What the product pages do not cover

The Carrymaster medical plastic product pages do not list applications beyond those three categories. Equipment types with loads or environmental requirements outside the light-duty range are not covered by the medical plastic line. Contact Zambus to discuss requirements for other equipment types.

The Carrymaster medical range at a glance

The Carrymaster medical plastic line is available through Zambus as 30 products across three series. All are swivel. All are rated light-duty. The three series differ in wheel tread material, frame material, wheel core material, size code availability, and load ratings.

  • ACMC series: TPR wheel tread, PA6 frame, PP wheel core. Available in size codes 76, 102, and 127. Ratings from 198.42 to 297.62 lbs per caster. Flange, stem, and round stem mounts (round stem on 102 and 127 only). 16 products.

  • ACMCT series: PA + PU wheel tread, ABS or Nylon frame (by size code), ABS or Nylon wheel core (by size code). Available in size codes 76, 102, and 127. Ratings from 132.28 to 220.46 lbs per caster. Flange and stem mounts. 12 products.

  • ACMCH series: TPR wheel tread, PA6 frame, PP wheel core. Available in size code 127 only. Rating 198.42 lbs per caster. Mount type not stated on the product pages. 2 products.

For a full comparison of the three series, including which series suits which load range and wheel material requirement, see the Carrymaster medical plastic casters series guide.

Getting the right medical caster

Selecting a medical caster starts with three confirmed figures: the equipment load per caster position, the wheel size that fits the frame socket or plate pattern, and the mount type the equipment accepts. The full Carrymaster medical plastic casters range is available at Zambus.

If the equipment load, mount dimensions, or application requirements are unclear, the team at Zambus, Inc. in Palisades Park, NJ can help narrow the selection. Reach them by phone at (973) 777-4922 or by email at sales@zambus.com. Full contact options are available on the Zambus contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Are medical caster wheels the same as medical castor wheels?

Yes. Caster and castor are two spellings of the same word for a wheel assembly mounted under equipment. Zambus uses caster throughout its catalogue, so a search under either spelling leads to the same products: the 30 Carrymaster medical plastic casters in the ACMC, ACMCT and ACMCH series, rated 132.28 to 297.62 lbs per caster.

Is a size code 127 Carrymaster medical caster a 5 inch wheel?

Not as a stated figure. The Carrymaster product pages place size code 127 in the over 5 inch wheel-size band, alongside size code 76 in the 2 to 3 inch band and size code 102 in the 4 to 5 inch band, but they do not list the wheel diameter as a separate number. Check the dimension drawing on the product page before ordering.

What does Light-Duty mean on a Carrymaster medical caster?

It is the label in every Carrymaster medical plastic caster title. The product pages do not define it further, so the working figure is the stated load per caster, which runs from 132.28 lbs on the ACMCT 76 to 297.62 lbs on the ACMC 127. Choose by that rating against the load each caster will carry, not by the label.

Is PA6 the same as nylon?

Yes. PA6 is polyamide 6, commonly called nylon 6, and polyamide is the polymer family that nylon belongs to. On the Carrymaster medical plastic line, PA6 is the listed frame material on the ACMC and ACMCH series, while the ACMCT 127 models list their frame and wheel core simply as Nylon.

What is the brake on a Carrymaster medical caster made of?

Where the braked product pages list a brake material, it is Nylon on the ACMCT series and PA6 on the ACMC and ACMCH series. The pages do not describe how the brake works or what it locks, so confirm the brake operation with Zambus at (973) 777-4922 before ordering for equipment where braking matters.

Can TPR and PA + PU wheels be used on the same piece of equipment?

The Carrymaster product pages do not address mixing tread materials on one piece of equipment. What they do show is that the two treads come with different ratings at the same size code: 264.55 lbs per caster for the TPR-tread ACMC 102 against 176.37 lbs for the PA + PU ACMCT 102. Ask Zambus before combining them.

Is there a Carrymaster medical caster rated above 300 lbs per caster?

Not in the medical plastic line, whose highest rating is 297.62 lbs per caster on the ACMC 127. Carrymaster casters with higher ratings sit in the non-leveling caster range and the leveling caster range, and Zambus can match a model to the load at (973) 777-4922 or sales@zambus.com.

What if my equipment needs rigid casters?

All 30 Carrymaster medical plastic casters are swivel, so a rigid caster has to come from another range. The non-leveling ACSU and ACLU series both include rigid flange models, marked RF in the model number. Where rigid and swivel casters go on the same equipment is covered in the swivel and rigid caster configuration guide.

Who sells Carrymaster medical plastic casters?

Zambus, Inc. of Palisades Park, NJ sells the Carrymaster medical plastic casters: 16 ACMC, 12 ACMCT and 2 ACMCH models, each with its own product page, load rating and dimension drawing. The full range is on the medical plastic casters page, and orders and questions go to (973) 777-4922 or sales@zambus.com.

How do I get help choosing a Carrymaster medical caster?

Send Zambus four details: the load each caster will carry, the mount the equipment takes, whether a brake is needed and any wheel material requirement. With those, Zambus can point to a Carrymaster model number in the ACMC, ACMCT or ACMCH series. Call (973) 777-4922, email sales@zambus.com or use the contact page.