Kegerator Caster Wheel Spacing: Bolt Patterns Explained

What a caster bolt pattern means

A caster wheel on a kegerator is attached to a flat metal bracket called a mounting plate. The plate bolts to the underside of the cabinet, and the wheel is fixed to the plate. The bolt pattern is the arrangement of the holes in that plate: the distance between the holes, measured from center to center, in both directions of the rectangle.

That spacing is the first thing to match when you buy a replacement wheel. Two caster plates may look the same from a distance but have different hole positions, and a plate that does not line up with the cabinet holes cannot be used without new holes being drilled.

On a listing, you rarely see a drawing of the plate. Instead you see words like "swivel caster", "rigid caster", "with brake", or a wheel diameter, and the plate spacing itself is often left out. For the meaning of the common caster words, see the explanation of caster wheel types and the article on the mounting plate.

Reading a listing for caster details

The caster detail on a kegerator listing is usually one bullet among many. Read it for the words that tell you how the wheel moves and locks: swivel, rigid, brake, lock, diameter, material. Those words describe movement, not the way the plate is bolted on.

The table below shows what common caster words tell you and what they do not.

Bolt patterns in general terms

Caster plates come in a few general shapes. The most common shape is a rectangle with a hole near each corner, though some plates use only two holes and some have a center pin that fits into a hole in the cabinet to stop the plate from turning.

Home and commercial kegerators use the same idea, but the plates are not interchangeable. A commercial unit may use a larger plate because the cabinet is bigger and the load is higher. The way you measure is identical, but the numbers differ from one maker to the next.

No single pattern is universal. One maker may use a narrow rectangle, another a square, and another a wider rectangle. That is why the site compares stated details instead of assuming that any caster will fit any cabinet. If you are choosing between a home and a venue unit, the commercial kegerator guide and the undercounter guide show how the listed details differ.

How to measure spacing for a replacement

To measure a caster bolt pattern for a replacement, turn the unit on its side or remove one caster. Place a ruler or tape measure across one pair of holes and read the distance from the center of one hole to the center of the opposite hole. Do the same for the other pair.

Write down both measurements, plus the shape of the holes. Round holes line up one way; slotted holes allow a little adjustment left and right. Some plates also have a locating pin in the center, and that pin has its own size.

Those measurements come from the part itself, not from the article. When you compare them with a replacement, make sure the plate fits the cabinet holes as well as the wheel. For the relationship between wheels, legs and the floor, see the article on leveling legs versus casters.

When a listing skips the detail

Many kegerator listings do not state the caster bolt pattern at all, and that is normal. The site shows the detail only when the seller provides it. A missing pattern is treated as "not stated by the seller", not as a guess.

If you are buying a whole kegerator, the bolt pattern matters only if you plan to change the wheels later. For a first purchase, the wheel type, the number of taps and the cabinet width matter more. The main kegerator guide walks through those decisions.

If you are buying replacement wheels for a unit you already own, the pattern is the one detail that decides whether the new plate fits. When the listing omits it, ask the seller for the hole spacing or check the maker's parts page. The related article on caster wheel diameter covers the wheel size question.

Choosing with casters in mind

For a garage or a shared space, look for a unit that states casters and a lock. The lock keeps the cabinet steady when the door is opened. For a kitchen undercounter, the caster type matters less than the cabinet width and whether the unit is front-vented. A caster with a brake still helps when you pull the unit out for cleaning.

For a small venue, a commercial listing with casters and a stated wheel detail is easier to move. Compare the stated details in the commercial kegerator guide and the full size kegerator guide.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Do all kegerators use the same caster bolt pattern?

No. Patterns vary by maker and by model. The distance between the holes, and whether the plate has two or four holes, differs from one cabinet to another.

How do I measure caster wheel spacing?

Measure from the center of one hole to the center of the opposite hole in both directions of the plate. Write down both numbers and the shape of the holes, round or slotted.

Is caster spacing stated on a listing?

Sometimes. When it is, it appears as a bolt pattern or mounting plate measurement. When it is not, the seller has not stated it, and you should ask before buying a replacement.

Can I replace caster wheels on any kegerator?

You can replace them if the new plate matches the hole spacing on your cabinet. If the listing does not show the pattern, measure yours first or ask the seller.

Do commercial kegerators and home kegerators use different caster plates?

They often do. A commercial cabinet may use a heavier plate because it is larger and holds more weight, but the way you measure and compare is the same.

What does a locating pin do on a caster plate?

A locating pin, sometimes called a boss, fits into a hole in the cabinet to stop the plate from turning. Not all plates have one; some rely on the bolts alone.