Metal Pivot Foot

OEM / ODM Available Free Sample Available ISO 9001:2015 ISO 14001 RoHS REACH

Heavy-duty levelling foot with a steel or stainless pivot joint and base, for frames that have to carry a high static load, resist a side load or work close to heat.

Wholesale Price $3.20 - $26.00 / pc per pc

Material	Zinc-plated steel or stainless steel base and joint
Alloy Grade	Not applicable
Temper	custom
Section Size	Fits profile ends with M12-M24 thread insert
Slot	M12 / M16 / M20 / M24 stem thread
Length	Stem 60-120 mm; overall height 85-230 mm
Tolerance	±0.4 mm on thread pitch diameter
Surface	Zinc plated 8-12 µm; stainless 304 / 316
MOQ	100
Lead Time	20-30 days after deposit
Loading Port	Shanghai / Ningbo
Supply Ability	40,000 pcs per month
Payment Terms	T/T 30% deposit + 70% before shipment \| L/C at sight
Trade Terms	FOB \| CIF \| EXW
Certifications	ISO 9001:2015 \| ISO 14001 \| RoHS \| REACH

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Levelling feet · Heavy duty

A metal pivot foot uses a steel or stainless steel joint and base rather than a polymer one. It does the same levelling job — the joint lets the pad sit flat on an uneven floor — but it carries a far higher load, it does not creep, it takes a side load without deforming, and it works close to heat.

The foot is the last component in the load path between the frame and the floor, so on a heavy installation it is the part that decides whether the load reaches the slab evenly or concentrates on one edge. Where a frame weighs several tonnes, or where the equipment on it vibrates, the metal foot is the only sensible choice.

Where the metal foot earns its cost

On a light bench the difference between a polymer and a metal foot is small and the polymer foot is cheaper. On a heavy frame the difference becomes structural. Three load cases separate them.

Load case	What happens to a polymer foot	What the metal foot does
Sustained heavy static load	Creeps — the frame slowly sinks on one corner	Holds the setting indefinitely
Side load from a moving frame	Pad deforms and the joint opens up	Takes the shear through the steel base
Vibration from machinery	Damps well, but the joint wears at the pivot	Resists wear; damping handled by a separate pad
Heat near a process	Softens above about 90 °C	Unaffected well beyond 200 °C
Point load on a hard floor	Pad flattens over time	Spreads the load without deforming

The joint: ball, pivot or plain

Ball joint — the stem ends in a ball that seats in a socket in the base. It absorbs angle in any direction and is the most forgiving on a frame that is out of square.
Single-axis pivot — a pin joint that tilts in one plane. It is stronger than a ball joint for a given base size and is used where the frame geometry is known and the angle is small.
Plain (fixed) — no joint at all. The pad is machined flat and the frame has to be square. This is the strongest and cheapest option and the right one for a frame built on a jig.

Base options and the floor

Plain flat baseA machined flat pad. It gives the highest stiffness and the lowest cost, and it needs a floor that is level and a frame that is square.

Drilled baseFour or six holes for anchor bolts. Used where the frame has to be secured against sliding or tipping.

Swivel baseA ball or pin joint so the pad self-aligns. The standard choice where the frame is not built on a jig.

Anti-vibration baseA metal base with a bonded elastomer pad. It gives the stiffness of a metal foot with some of the damping of a polymer one, for machine installations.

Practical point: on a frame over about two tonnes, the foot is no longer a catalogue item — it is a load path that should be checked. Send us the frame weight, the number of legs and the centre of gravity, and we will return the stem size, the base diameter and the floor bearing pressure.

Material and finish

Choose the base material Zinc-plated steel is standard. Stainless 304 is used for wash-down and outdoor installations; 316 where chlorides or cleaning chemicals are present.
Choose the stem thread M12 to M24 are standard for heavy feet. A longer stem gives more adjustment range but less stiffness, so the stem should be no longer than the adjustment actually needed.
Decide the joint Ball for a frame that is out of square, pin for a known geometry, plain for a frame built on a jig.
Specify the floor interface A steel pad on a concrete slab is fine. On a coated floor or a raised deck, add an elastomer pad or a load-spreading plate so the point load is spread.
Add the anchoring if required Drilled base plus anchor bolts where the frame must be secured. The bolt type follows the floor build-up.

Frequently asked questions

How much load can a metal pivot foot take?

Up to about 5,000 kg per foot on the largest M24 size, static. A dynamic or vibrating installation should be derated to about half that, and the three-foot rule still applies for a four-leg frame.

Will the steel pad damage a concrete floor?

Not under normal load, but a very high point load can spall a weak screed. Where the floor is a thin screed or a coated finish, add a load-spreading plate or an elastomer pad under the foot.

Is a metal foot noisier than a nylon one?

Yes. A metal foot transmits more vibration between frame and floor. Where that matters, use an anti-vibration base with a bonded elastomer pad rather than a plain metal pad.

Can the foot be supplied in stainless?

Yes, in 304 or 316. Use 316 where chlorides or aggressive cleaning chemicals are present, and match the anchor bolts to avoid galvanic corrosion.

Do I need a locking nut?

Yes, on any frame that vibrates. The nut locks the stem against the profile end so the levelling setting cannot walk.

Send the frame weight and the centre of gravity

Tell us the frame weight, the number of legs and where the mass sits. We will return the stem size, base diameter, joint type and floor bearing pressure, with FOB pricing within one working day.

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