Not all bearings are the same. Selecting a bearing that is not suitable for your beverage application can increase unplanned downtime and reduce overall productivity. We recommend that you consider the following questions when choosing a cushion for your beverage operation.
Does the application require a corrosion resistant bearing?
If moisture is constantly present in your application, as is the case in many operations in the beverage industry, it is imperative to choose a corrosion-resistant bearing. Standard steel bearings corrode quickly when exposed to moisture, while stainless steel and polymer bearings do not.
Where will the bearing be used?
What type of environment will the bearing be in? Determining whether it is a dry or wet system will help determine if corrosion resistant bearings are required. Identifying the temperature of the environment is also important. If the application is too hot, a polymer pad will not be effective.
What type of seal does your bearing have?
In beverage applications, having a proper seal is critical. The correct cover and gasket combination will provide a strong seal against any form of contamination that may come into contact with the bearing. The more protection the bearing has, the longer it will last in a harsh environment.
What variety of tree sizes are offered?
Although shaft sizes vary across a wide variety of beverage plant applications, it is advantageous to choose a bearing offered in a wide range of shaft sizes. This will allow consistent use of the same bearing in different applications and allow your team to become familiar with the bearing and its expected performance.
How much customer support does the bearing come with?
Regardless of the type of bearing chosen, a strong partnership with the manufacturer is essential. Opening lines of communication with your supplier will not only ensure you select the correct bearing for your application, but will also ensure that technical support is available throughout the bearing's entire lifecycle.
