How to size machine skates and rollers correctly?
Machine skates move heavy machinery safely over short distances. This guide shows how to calculate the load per roller, choose the right wheel tread for your floor and plan steering and turning radius.
View machine skatesHow do I calculate the load per roller?
The basic rule is total weight divided by the number of load-bearing rollers, plus a safety margin. Crucially, the load rarely distributes evenly - a machine with a heavy motor block on one side puts far more weight on the front axle.
So do not assume a perfect quarter per roller. A proven approach is to spread the load over three rollers instead of four: that leaves a reserve if the floor is uneven and one roller is briefly relieved of load.
- Determine the total weight including attachments and residual contents.
- Divide by 3 instead of 4 to cover off-centre load and floor unevenness.
- Add a safety factor of 1.3 to the calculated value.
- Reserve extra capacity for shock loads or when crossing ramps.
Which wheel tread suits which floor?
The wheel tread governs floor protection, load rating and rolling resistance. Hard treads carry more and roll easier, but concentrate the load on a small contact patch - sensitive floors can be marked.
- Hard floor plus high load: steel or polyamide for minimal rolling resistance.
- Sensitive floor: polyurethane prevents pressure marks and abrasion.
- Coarse or uneven floor: larger roller diameters clear thresholds more easily.
How do I plan steering and turning radius?
A machine skate is only as manoeuvrable as its roller configuration allows. Fixed rollers run straight and carry stably, while swivel rollers enable turns and spinning on the spot.
For tight halls and doorway passages, rotating skates with 360-degree steering are ideal - they follow any direction without a large turning radius. Make sure at least one skate is guided by a tow bar or steering handle so the load stays under control.
Frequently asked questions
Why divide by 3 rollers instead of 4?
Because on an uneven floor or with an off-centre centre of gravity, the load never spreads evenly. Calculating with three load-bearing rollers keeps a safety reserve if one roller is briefly relieved.
What roller diameter makes sense?
Larger diameters roll over thresholds and joints more easily and lower the starting resistance. On rough or uneven floors a larger diameter pays off, while a compact one suffices on smooth industrial floors.
How do I protect a sensitive floor?
Choose a softer tread such as polyurethane with a large contact area. This spreads the surface pressure so the floor gets no pressure marks or abrasion trails.
Do I need four skates for every machine?
A typical set combines one rotating guide skate with several load-bearing skates. The number depends on the weight, length and support points of the machine.
Looking for the right machine skate?
We supply machine skates and rollers for any load rating - with the right tread for your floor and rotating steering for tight halls.
Correctly sized
Load calculated with a safety reserve.
Floor-friendly
Tread matched to your surface.
Manoeuvrable
Rotating skates for tight routes.
Expert advice
Specialists help with the sizing.