Heavy Machinery Bearings: Solutions for High-Load Applications

High-load applications can be put under a lot of pressure in harsh conditions for long periods of time. To help maximise the performance of this machinery, operators can install heavy duty industrial bearings. Here at Quality Bearings online, we stock a variety of high-load capacity bearings which specialise for different applications.

Read on to find out more about industrial bearings, the challenges with high-load applications, and how to choose the best bearings for your heavy machinery.

Understanding High-Load Bearings

High-load bearings are specialised components with the purpose of supporting and transmitting heavy radial and axial loads on industrial applications. These aren’t just standard bearings which are used in household appliances and small machinery. These bearings are designed to endure extreme environments and are made using materials that are resistant to wear.

High-load bearings get their increased strength and durability from reinforced materials such as stainless steel.The bearing's structure is engineered to evenly distribute weight across rolling elements of the application, allowing industrial bearings to deliver better performance in demanding environments compared to standard bearings.  

Key Challenges in High-Load Applications

When using bearings in machinery in harsh environments, there are issues that can arise which impact their performance and lifespan.

• Wear and Tear - The constant stress placed on high-load bearings causes friction on the bearing surfaces. Over time, this leads to accelerated wear, reducing the efficiency of the machinery and increasing the risk of breakdowns.
• High temperature - When bearings are exposed to high temperatures generated from continuous operation, the materials within the bearings can weaken.
• Load stress - When bearings experience extreme weight or force, they can crack and lose their structure.

It’s important to note that high-quality industrial bearings are designed to avoid these issues through the use of specialised materials and advanced engineering techniques.

Industries That Rely on High-Load Bearings

High-load bearings are extremely effective in a range of industries across the world. Here are a couple of examples.

Power Generation

High-load bearings are relied upon in the power generation industry as they provide critical equipment such as wind turbines and hydroelectric generators with efficient operation. Power generation equipment typically involves high-speed rotation, and industrial bearings are able to support this while not being heavily impacted by excessive friction.

Hydroelectric generators require bearings capable of enduring immense water pressure and constant vibrations, which high-load bearings are capable of, without negatively impacting performance.

Construction and Mining

The construction and mining industries place some of the heaviest demands on machinery, requiring high-load bearings that can endure intense operating conditions. The mining industry typically uses cylindrical and spherical roller bearings in their vibrating screens, conveyor systems, and crushers, as these bearings are designed to handle heavy radial loads and shock while operating under constant vibration.

Spherical roller bearings are also popular in construction machinery, such as cranes and bulldozers, which experience heavy loads and impacts.

How to Choose the Right Bearing for Heavy Machinery

There are various types of high-load bearings to choose from. Let’s take a look at the different types of industrial bearings available, and where they’re commonly used.

Spherical Roller Bearings

These bearings are great at facilitating smooth rotational motion in heavy duty applications. The unique design of the rolling elements within spherical roller bearings enables them to accommodate shaft misalignment relative to the housing, making them well-suited for demanding operating environments.

As previously mentioned. Spherical Roller bearings are commonly used in mining equipment and construction machinery.

Tapered Roller Bearings

Tapered roller bearings are engineered to support both axial and radial loads. There are three main types of this bearing:

• Single row - This is the most popular design, and has a single cone and single cup. They’re used on fire door closers and vehicle wheels, and can handle axial and radial loads in one direction.
• Double row - These industrial bearings can accommodate axial and radial loads in both directions. They’re used for tunnelling machines in mining, and for hoisting equipment.
• Multi-row - These consist of several rows of tapered rollers between the inner and outer rings. The multiple rows make these bearings effective in hot rolling mills. 

Cylindrical Roller Bearings

Cylindrical roller bearings consist of rollers held by a cage and between an inner and outer ring. Designed to accommodate high radial loads while maintaining space efficiency. Their unique design means cylindrical roller bearings essential to machinery in the aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive industries.

Needle Roller Bearings

Needle roller bearings are the smallest and lightest roller bearings on the market, meaning they excel in situations where space availability, load, and speed, are factors of concern. These bearings can be found in automotive components, including transmissions, pumps, and compressors.

Pillow Block Bearings

These are housed bearings, designed to provide support for rotating shafts and to handle heavy loads. Pillow block bearings can be found in applications which involve a rotating shaft, as these bearings are essential for keeping the shaft stable while in operation.

Benefits of Using Specialised High-Load Bearings

Using high-load bearings in industrial applications can significantly improve performance and overall operation quality in these ways.

Improved Efficiency

High-load bearings not only withstand more pressure, but also allow machinery to operate more smoothly and efficiently. This improvement in operational efficiency results in less energy consumption, reduced mechanical strain, and overall better performance.

Reduced Downtime

High-load bearings are able to ensure long hours of demanding operation, require less maintenance, and therefore are more resistant to failure. High-load bearings are essential for industrial applications where equipment breakdowns result in costly production delays.

Extended Machinery Life

The lifespan of industrial applications can be extended with the correct use of high-load bearings. The high-grade materials used to manufacture these bearings specialise in handling harsh environments, reducing wear and tear on critical components. As a result, machinery experiences fewer breakdowns and requires fewer part replacements, which translates to a longer operational life for equipment in industries like mining, construction, and power generation. This can save organisations tens of thousands of pounds long term.

Conclusion

High-load bearings are brilliant components for high-load applications. However, you must use the right type of high-load bearing depending on the machinery.

All of the high-load bearings you need are available at Quality Bearings Online. Browse our ball bearings and roller bearings to find the perfect component to take your machinery to the next level