Bearing Applications
Find the right bearing by machine: fans, gearboxes, motors, pumps, conveyors and farm equipment. Bore sizes and model numbers for each.
The right bearing for a machine depends on what the shaft has to carry and where the machine works. Load direction and size decide the bearing type; shaft diameter decides the size; temperature, speed and dirt decide the clearance, the seals and the grease. This section groups the common bearing applications by machine, with the usual bearing types and series for each and the points to check before you order.
Bearing applications at a glance
| Machine | Usual bearing types | Typical series | What decides the choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fans and blowers | Deep groove ball bearings; pillow block units on belt-driven fans | 6200, 6300; UCP200 | Speed, noise, temperature of the air stream |
| Gearboxes and speed reducers | Deep groove ball bearings; tapered roller bearings in pairs | 6200, 6300; 30200, 32200, 30300 | Axial load from helical, bevel or worm gears; oil lubrication |
| Electric motors | Deep groove ball bearings with C3 clearance | 6200, 6300 | Heat and fit (C3), noise grade, ZZ or 2RS |
| Motorcycles and scooters | Deep groove ball bearings; tapered roller bearings in the steering head | 6000, 6200, 6300; 30200, 32000 | Water and dirt (2RS on wheels), oil in the engine |
| Water pumps | Deep groove ball bearings; pillow block units on belt-driven pumps | 6200, 6300; UCP200 | Water ingress, clearance, oil or grease |
| Belt conveyors | Pillow block and take-up units; deep groove ball bearings in idlers; spherical roller bearings on heavy pulleys | UCP200, UCT200; 6204–6306; 22200 | Shaft size, belt tension, set-screw locking |
| Agricultural machinery | Mounted units; deep groove and tapered roller bearings | UCP, UCF, UCFL; 6200, 6300 | Dust, mud, shock, irregular maintenance |
| Crushers and vibrating screens | Spherical roller bearings | 22200, 22300 | Shock load, misalignment, clearance for heat |
| Grain and food processing | Mounted units; deep groove ball bearings | UCP, UCF; 6200 | Fine dust, washdown, steady duty |
| Textile machinery | Small deep groove ball bearings | 6000, 6200 | High speed, low noise |
The detailed page for each linked machine covers positions, sizes, failure causes and an inquiry checklist.
How to choose by machine
Mainly radial load, moderate to high speed. A deep groove ball bearing is the default. Motors, fans, pumps and light gearboxes all use it. See the deep groove ball bearing range for sizes from 10 mm bore upward.
Radial plus significant axial load. Tapered roller bearings in opposed pairs, set to a measured endplay or preload at assembly. Gearboxes, wheel hubs and steering heads use them. See the tapered roller bearing range.
Heavy load, shock and misalignment. Spherical roller bearings carry heavy radial load and accept shaft deflection. Crushers, vibrating screens and large conveyor pulleys use them. See the spherical roller bearing range. Vibrating screens often need a special design with larger clearance; send the full designation of the original and we will confirm whether we can supply it before quoting.
A shaft on a frame, not in a machined housing. Mounted units bolt straight to the frame. Pillow block bearings sit on a base, flange bearings mount on a vertical plate, and take-up bearings slide in a frame to tension a belt.
Three things every application has in common
- Clearance. Heat and interference fits reduce internal clearance. Motors and pumps often need C3. Applications that need tight running, such as rollers that must not wobble, may need C2. Our guide to bearing internal clearance explains the groups.
- Seals and lubrication. Bearings running in oil are usually open. Bearings exposed to dust or water need seals. Sealed bearings leave the factory greased; FULI’s default fill is about 30% of the free internal space. The bearing lubrication basics article covers both.
- The full designation. Many wrong orders come from a missing suffix, not a wrong size. Copy the full number from the old bearing, including every letter before and after the digits. The guide on how to avoid ordering the wrong bearing lists the common mix-ups.
Find a bearing by size
If you know the shaft diameter but not the model, the bearing size finder lists the standard bearings for a given bore. The bearing cross reference pages match brand designations to standard sizes for dimensional interchange.
Send your application details
Send the model numbers, quantities and a short description of the machine to sales@fuli-bearings.com or through the contact page. If you are not sure which bearing suits a position, describe the load, speed and environment, and add a photo of the old bearing. The quotation request template shows what to include, and the bearing buying guide covers the rest of the process. Deep groove ball bearings are supplied at Z3V3 vibration grade as standard, with GCr15 chrome steel rings and balls. An inspection report can cover dimensions, radial clearance, rotation noise, vibration, appearance, material certificate and batch traceability.
Backed by 20+ years of bearing export experience in Linqing, Shandong. FULI ships to 50+ countries & regions.
In this section
- Agricultural Bearings for Farm MachineryAgricultural bearings by machine: UC inserts in UCP, UCF, UCFL and UCT units, 6200 and 6300 ball bearings, tapered and spherical roller bearings.
- Conveyor BearingMounted bearing units for belt conveyors: UCP pillow blocks for head and tail shafts. Shaft 20-50 mm.
- Crusher BearingBearings for stone crushers and vibrating screens. Spherical roller bearings 22200/22300 series for shock and misalignment.
- Disc Harrow BearingDisc harrow bearings with square or round bore: W208PPB5, W209PPB5, W211PPB3, W209PPB2 and GW211PPB2 sizes, how to measure, seals and relube types.
- Electric Motor BearingDeep groove ball bearings for electric motors. C3 clearance for thermal expansion, ZZ and 2RS seals, bore 10-50 mm with full dimensions.
- Fan BearingDeep groove ball bearings for axial fans, blowers and air handling units. Bore 10-60 mm, ZZ and 2RS options, with model-by-model dimensions.
- Gearbox BearingBearings used in gearboxes and speed reducers: 6200/6300 deep groove for radial loads, 30200 tapered for combined loads. Dimensions and bore sizes.
- Rice Mill BearingMounted units and deep groove bearings for rice mills, flour mills and grain elevators. Sealed inserts for dusty environments, shaft 20-60 mm.
- Motorcycle BearingWheel, engine and transmission bearings for motorcycles and scooters. 6000, 6200 and 6300 series with 2RS seals, bore 10-40 mm.
- Textile Machinery BearingDeep groove ball bearings for spinning frames, looms and winding machines. Small bore 10-30 mm, low-noise ZZ and 2RS options.
- Tractor BearingTractor bearings by position: tapered roller pairs in front wheel hubs and bevel pinions, 6000, 6200 and 6300 ball bearings on gearbox and PTO shafts.
- Water Pump BearingBearings for centrifugal and irrigation water pumps. Deep groove ball bearings by bore size, sealed options for wet environments.
FAQ
How do I choose a bearing for my machine?
Start from the old bearing: its full number, including suffixes, tells you the type, size, closure and clearance. If you are designing a new machine, the load direction, speed, temperature and contamination decide the type, and the shaft diameter decides the size.
Which bearing type is used most in machinery?
The single row deep groove ball bearing, especially the 6200 and 6300 series. It suits motors, fans, pumps, gearboxes and many other machines where the load is mainly radial and the speed is moderate to high.
When do I need a roller bearing instead of a ball bearing?
When the load is heavy, when there is shock, or when there is significant axial load together with radial load. Tapered roller bearings handle combined loads in gearboxes and wheels; spherical roller bearings handle heavy loads with misalignment in crushers, screens and large pulleys.
Why are mounted bearing units used on farm and conveyor equipment?
Because they bolt directly to a frame, tolerate small alignment errors through the spherical seat, and come sealed and ready to fit. That makes them practical on long shafts and welded frames.