Bearings are a vital component in major industrial equipment. Bearing problems can result in costly downtime, equipment damage and breakdowns. In addition, large industrial bearings represent a significant capital investment.
To attain reliable operation with high equipment performance and the lowest possible maintenance costs, it is essential to follow proper handling practices. This includes bearing storage, removal, cleaning, inspection and installation.
The useful life of any bearing depends to a great extent on the care and maintenance it receives. This is especially true in industrial applications, where operating conditions tend to be harsh, loads are heavy, and contamination from dirt and scale are common.
Details about specific handling and inspection processes for different types of bearings are included in those sections of this manual. This section addresses general processes and practices that apply to all anti-friction bearing designs.
Bearing Storage
Bearings with special anti-corrosion coatings are available, but most bearings are not manufactured from corrosion resistant materials. When handling and storing bearings, care must be taken to ensure that they will not rust or corrode. Even a small amount of moisture or chemical left on an unprotected bearing by a glove or hand can result in a small etched area, which may initiate bearing fatigue.
New and remanufactured Timken bearings are shipped with a protective coating, are typically covered in a protective paper or other wrapping, and are shipped in a carton or crate. When receiving a new or remanufactured bearing, do not remove it from its packaging until ready to install in the application.
Do not store bearings directly on concrete floors, where water can condense and collect on the bearing. Store the bearings on a pallet or shelf, in an area where the bearings will not be subjected to high humidity or sudden and severe temperature changes that may result in condensation forming.
Always put oiled paper or, if not available, plastic sheets between rollers and cup races of tapered roller bearings.
Removing Bearings from Equipment
Each type of bearing design has a unique removal process. Regardless of the bearing type, the bearing must be removed with extreme care. If done incorrectly, you can damage the bearings, shafts or housings, requiring expensive repairs.
For smaller bearings, there are a variety of pullers available to assist with bearing removal. For bearings installed with a tight or press fit, or that have become locked in place on a shaft and cannot be removed with a mechanical puller, the inner ring of the bearing can be heated to ease removal. Heat lamps or other heating devices can be used. If a torch is used, it will change the properties of the bearing steel and the bearing must be discarded.
Lifting Large Bearings
Large bearings can be lifted and moved using a variety of slings, hooks, chains and mechanical devices. Some large bearings are manufactured with tapped holes in the face of inner rings or outer rings. Eyebolts or other points of attachment can be inserted in these lifting holes.
Many large bearings have threaded lifting holes in the cage ring that can be used to lift the inner ring assembly.
A clean, heavy duty nylon sling provides one of the best means of handling large bearing components because it eliminates the possibility of burring or scratching.
Regardless of what method is used to lift the bearings, use care to avoid damaging any of the bearing surfaces. Be especially cautious when lifting or moving bearings that are equipped with a cage. The cage is typically the most deformable component of the bearing and is more susceptible to damage.
Timken
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