Needle Bearings

Needle bearing rollers have high length-to diameter ratios. They are quite commonly used in farm and construction equipment gasoline engines, gear pumps and small appliances. They may be lubricated with grease but oil based lubricants are considered for longitivity and smoothness.

Needle bearings have smaller rollers and have the highest load capacity for a given radial space of all rolling bearings. Needle roller bearings are available in different designs and a wide range of sizes, which are appropriate for different applications. In addition to customized designs, they comprise the following types:

Needle roller and cage assemblies made to special dimensions or configurations, such as those which are split to assemble around a one-piece crankshaft, can be made available upon special order where quantities permit. Special plated or coated cages to enhance life under conditions of high induced forces can also be made available.

Drawn-cup, full-complement needle bearings consist of a deep-drawn cup with a full complement of needles. In some needle bearings the needles are retained by the cup lips, in others by the grease. Spherical-ended rollers are used in the grease-retained needle bearings.

Drawn-cup, caged needle bearings are identical to full-complement bearings, except that a cage is used. They provide higher speeds and reduced load bearing capacity. They have better tolerance for misalignment.

Inner Rings are heat-treated and finished by grinding to a high degree of accuracy. In the case of needle roller bearings, normally, the shafts are heat treated and finished by grinding, and used as the raceway surfaces.

Combined Type needle roller bearings are combinations of a radial bearing and a thrust bearing.

Machined Type needle roller bearings are bearings with a low sectional height and large load ratings.