How are Roller Bearings used in Heavy Machinery Applications?
Roller bearings have a number of applications when it comes to your heavy machinery and construction equipment- in fact, they’re essential if you’re looking for smooth operations on site. However, how much do you know about how they work and which applications suit their properties best? From cylindrical roller bearings to tapered, spherical bearings to heavy duty needle roller bearings, our guide has you covered.
Cylindrical roller bearings
How do they work?
Cylindrical roller bearings work by minimising the amount of friction in heavy duty applications, with radial and axial load bearing capacity. The bearings makes linear contact between the rollers and the raceways, and this means that the radial load capability is greater than that of a ball bearing, for example. Furthermore, this type of bearing is suitable in high speed applications due to the minimised friction.
Cylindrical roller bearings can also alter the way they perform depending on angle. For example, a shallower gradient means that the bearing can take a greater radial load, as stress is reduced on the sides of the bearing’s raceways; conversely, a steeper gradient increases its axial load, as pressure can be distributed towards the centre of the component.
Applications of cylindrical roller bearings:
- Transmissions
- Power Train
Tapered roller bearings
How do they work?
Tapered roller bearings are made of inner and outer rings which contain rolling elements. The rollers are held together within a cage. Single row tapered bearings are the most common type, however double row bearings are another available option. The latter contains two cups and two cones and is actually more versatile in usage.
In a tapered roller bearing, the inner and outer ring raceways are tapered and this makes them particularly unique. Due to the tapered characteristics of the component, they can handle both large axial and radial loads simultaneously. Furthermore, if double row tapered roller bearings are used, high radial and axial loads can be taken from both directions.
Applications of tapered roller bearings:
- Finals drives
- Wheel stations
Spherical roller bearings
How do they work?
Spherical roller bearings contain an inner and outer ring, both of which contain a raceway and rollers. Cages keep these rollers separate, ensuring that rotation is always smooth. Because the inner ring of spherical bearings can swivel outwards, this type of bearing deals with misalignment extremely well which is its main, unique benefit. Spherical roller bearings also offer protection against shocks, vibrations and acceleration and can take heavy axial and radial loads.
Applications of spherical roller bearings:
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Steering joints
Needle roller bearings
How do they work?
Needle roller bearings contain lots of small diameter cylindrical rollers, providing a large area which constantly remains in contact with rotating surfaces. Each of these small rollers are small in diameter, at least three times smaller than their length. The size of the rollers inside this type of bearing make for more space within which to fit many of these tiny rollers. This enables continuous contact, meaning that heavier loads can be taken and spread over a greater surface area.
Applications of needle roller bearings:
- Planetary Transmissions
- Final Drives
To find out more about roller bearings for heavy duty Cat, Komatsu, Volvo applications, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and talk to one of our experts! Call us on +44 (0) 1604 491 133, email sales@jaytrac.co.uk , or contact us directly via our online enquiry form.