Shaft power components


Maintenance-free bearings

3rd Quarter 2013 Shaft power components

SKF has launched its new range of Extended Life spherical plain bearings and rod ends as part of the BeyondZero portfolio. These bearings, which are aimed primarily at applications in the farm, forestry and construction sectors, are virtually maintenance-free as they do not need to be relubricated.

A single bearing with a 100 mm bore can save up to 876 g of grease per year. A tractor with six bearings of this type and size can save up to 5,2 kg of grease per year. This translates into a savings of 7,7 kg of CO2 per year. The calculations are based on grease savings and do not include the 37% reduction in frictional losses.

“The tribological system, which includes special surface treatments, grease and seals, combined with the internal geometry of the bearing, is what makes these bearings so robust and energy efficient. Furthermore, the bearings are phosphated and have undergone treatment to practically eliminate corrosion and reduce wear. Afterwards, the bearings are greased and sealed,” says Juergen Scholer, SKF plain bearings product manager.

The bearings are also equipped with heavy-duty triple lip seals which are the key to reducing total cost of ownership. These seals virtually eliminate the ingress of contaminants and the resulting poor lubrication condition that causes premature bearing failure. The bearings fill the gap between standard steel/steel plain bearings and maintenance-free SKF TX-plain bearings. Until now steel/steel spherical plain bearings have required relubrication as part of a regularly scheduled maintenance programme.

For more information contact Samantha Joubert, SKF South Africa, +27 (0)11 821 3500, [email protected], www.skf.co.za



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