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Scaffold castor

A braked swivel wheel that replaces the base jack and turns a scaffold tower or small birdcage into a mobile unit on firm, level floors.

Also called: castor wheel, swivel castor, braked castor, tower castor, scaffold wheel

In a warehouse, a stairwell or when painting long interior walls, taking the scaffold down and putting it up again after every section would waste hours. The castor replaces the base jack and turns a tower or a small birdcage scaffold into a mobile unit: push it to the next position, lock the brakes, carry on working.

Convenient, but it demands discipline. A mobile scaffold has no tie to the wall and stands only on its wheels. Brakes, floor and overall stability decide whether it stays put.

Design and variants

A scaffold castor consists of the wheel, a swivelling fork and a spigot or threaded stem that sits in the leg. Many castors are adjustable, giving a few decimetres of levelling much like a base jack. A brake lever locks the wheel and, on good models, the swivel of the fork as well.

  • Wheel diameter: often around 200 mm. Larger wheels roll more easily over joints and cables.
  • Tyre material: polyamide for heavy loads and smooth floors; rubber or elastic tyres protect sensitive surfaces such as parquet or tiles.
  • Fixing: the castor goes into the leg, base collar or frame and is secured against falling out with a bolt, pin or clip. Some systems require a dedicated castor ledger.

The permitted load is marked on the castor or its data sheet. It is usually well below that of a base jack and therefore limits what the whole scaffold may carry.

Setting up and moving

The floor must be level, firm and smooth; castors do not belong on soil or loose gravel. Lock the brakes while building, brace the bottom level with ledgers or plan braces so the base stays square, and fit outriggers or ballast as the stability documentation demands. Purpose-built mobile towers to EN 1004 come with their own instructions; a system scaffold on castors needs either a configuration in the manufacturer's instructions or an individual calculation.

  • Nobody on the platform and no loose items on the decks while moving.
  • Push slowly at the base, never pull at the top.
  • Do not move in wind, on slopes or near floor openings and edges.
  • Lock every brake again afterwards.

Our guide on facade scaffold or mobile tower helps with the choice.

Checking used castors

  • Spin the wheel, apply the brake several times: when braked, the wheel must not turn and the fork must not swivel.
  • Look for chipped treads, flat spots, worn bearings and bent forks.
  • Turn the stem through its range and read the load rating. Without a legible marking, leave it.

Used castors are offered in the castors section.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone stay on a mobile scaffold while it is moved?
No. While moving, there must be no people and no loose objects on the scaffold.
Can any facade scaffold be put on castors?
Only if the manufacturer's instructions provide for it or a stability calculation exists. Outriggers or ballast are often needed.
Which castor protects a sensitive floor?
Rubber or elastic tyres leave fewer marks than hard plastic wheels. The permitted load must still match the scaffold.

Looking for scaffolding or formwork? Our team advises you free of charge and sends you a quotation including freight to your site.

Request a quotation+49 341 3084890-0