BEARING GUIDE
Choose the right bearing with confidence.
Not sure which bearing you need? Our Guide explains the most common bearing types, applications, configurations & specifications to help you identify the right solution.
1. What Is A Bearing?
A bearing is a mechanical component designed to reduce friction and support movement between two parts, typically a rotating shaft and a housing.
The right bearing helps equipment operate smoothly, efficiently and reliably while managing the loads, speeds and operating conditions placed on the machine.
Bearings Are Used Throughout Industry, Including:
Mining
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Automotive
Food &
Beverage
Construction
Energy
Material
Handling
Pumps &
Motors
Gearboxes &
Transmissions
2. Common Bearing Types
Deep Groove
Ball Bearings
Suitable for primarily radial loads as well as moderate axial loads in both directions.
Typical applications:
- Electric motors
- Pumps
- Fans
- Conveyors
- Gearboxes
- Compressors
- Agricultural machinery
- General industrial equipment
Common configurations:
Open, 2ZZ/2Z shielded,
2RS sealed and C3 clearance.
Angular Contact
Ball Bearings
Designed for combined radial and axial loads.
Typical applications:
- Pumps
- Machine tools
- Compressors
- Gearboxes
- Electric motors
- Spindles
- High-speed equipment
Common configurations:
Single-row, double-row
and matched sets.
Self-Aligning
Ball Bearings
Designed to compensate for small amounts of shaft misalignment and housing deflection.
Typical applications:
- Conveyors
- Agricultural machinery
- Textile machinery
- Fans
- Material-handling equipment
- General industrial machinery
Cylindrical
Roller Bearings
Provide high radial load capacity and stiffness.
Typical applications:
- Electric motors
- Generators
- Gearboxes
- Pumps
- Compressors
- Steel equipment
- Heavy industrial machinery
Common configurations:
NU, NJ, N and NUP.
Spherical Roller
Bearings
Designed for demanding applications involving heavy radial loads, shock loads and shaft misalignment.
Typical applications:
- Mining equipment
- Crushers
- Conveyors
- Vibrating screens
- Steel plants
- Cement plants
- Gearboxes
- Heavy machinery
Tapered Roller
Bearings
Handle high radial loads and axial loads in one direction.
Typical applications:
- Gearboxes
- Industrial axles
- Wheel hubs
- Construction equipment
- Mining machinery
- Agricultural equipment
- Heavy-duty transmissions
Needle Roller
Bearings
Provide high radial load capacity within a compact space.
Typical applications:
- Gearboxes
- Transmissions
- Pumps
- Compressors
- Printing machinery
- Industrial mechanisms
3. Thrust Bearings
Thrust Ball Bearings
Designed primarily for axial loads.
Applications include:
- Pumps
- Gearboxes
- Machine tools
- Vertical shafts
- Steering systems
- Rotating equipment
Available in single-direction
and double-direction
configurations.
Thrust Roller Bearings
Designed for higher axial loads than thrust ball bearings.
Applications include:
- Heavy machinery
- Gearboxes
- Cranes
- Industrial transmissions
- Extrusion equipment
Spherical Roller
Thrust Bearings
Designed for very high axial loads while also accommodating radial loads and shaft misalignment.
Applications include:
- Mining machinery
- Crushers
- Conveyors
- Gearboxes
- Marine equipment
- Heavy industrial machinery
14. Need Help Identifying A Bearing?
- A photo of the bearing
- The equipment or application
- The bearing number
- Any available operating information
- The dimensions
Request A Quote Now
→
Our team can help you determine the appropriate bearing specification and provide a quotation.
Need A Part?
We Make It Easy.
Send a bearing number,
photo or bearing schedule
Get same-day pricing,
stock & lead time
Fast delivery anywhere
in South Africa