Common faults and repairs of slewing bearings

Jan 03, 2024

Slewing bearings are essential mechanical components in the metallurgical industry, cranes and other fields. This bearing bears a very large load, so you need to understand the common faults and maintenance common sense that may occur while using the bearing.

1. Common faults of slewing bearings

Bearing heat

Heat generation is one of the most common failures when using slewing bearings. There are two main reasons for bearing heating: first, the internal clearance of the bearing is too small, causing friction and heating; second, poor lubrication, the bearing is not fully lubricated during operation, and the friction resistance increases, causing heating. Bearing heating will affect its normal operation and, in severe cases, may even cause bearing burns.

Bearing noise

Noise during bearing operation is also one of the common faults. There are many reasons for noise, such as excessive internal clearance of bearings, poor lubrication, fatigue spalling of bearing components, etc. Bearing noise affects the equipment's normal operation and causes noise pollution to the surrounding environment.

Bearing stuck

Bearing seizure is another common failure of slewing bearings. Bearing jamming may be caused by poor lubrication, foreign matter entry, fatigue, components peeling, etc. After the bearing is jammed, the equipment cannot operate normally and may be severely damaged.

Bearing rust

Bearings are prone to rust in humid environments. Corrosion will affect the accuracy and life of the bearing and, in severe cases, may cause the bearing to fail to operate normally. Therefore, effective anti-rust measures should be taken for bearings in humid environments.

2. Maintenance of slewing bearings

Clean

Cleaning of slewing bearings is the first step in maintenance. Special cleaning agents should be used during the cleaning process to avoid harmful solvents. The bearings should be dried after cleaning to avoid moisture residue.

examine

After cleaning, the bearing should be inspected in detail to check the appearance, internal clearance, wear and peeling of components, etc. Measurements and inspections should be made to determine whether the bearing meets the usage requirements.

lubricating

Lubrication is the key to the normal operation of slewing ring bearings. During maintenance, the appropriate lubricant should be selected according to the bearing model and usage conditions, and lubrication should be carried out according to the prescribed method. At the same time, the quantity and quality of lubricant should be checked regularly to ensure that the bearings are fully lubricated.

Replacement components

Bearing elements should be replaced if they are severely worn or peeled. When replacing components, components of the same type as the original bearing should be selected and installed according to the prescribed process. Relubrication and adjustment should be performed after replacement.

Assembly and adjustment

The following points should be paid attention to when assembling and adjusting slewing bearings:

1. Use special assembly tools to avoid component damage caused by excessive force.

2. Assemble and adjust according to prescribed processes to ensure the accuracy and stability of the bearings.

3. During the assembly process, care should be taken to protect the bearing and its surrounding parts to avoid bumps and scratches.

Regular maintenance and upkeep

Regular maintenance and upkeep should be carried out to ensure the service life and stability of the slewing ring bearings. Maintenance includes regular cleaning, inspection, lubrication and component replacement. At the same time, a reasonable maintenance plan should be formulated based on usage and environmental conditions and strictly implemented.

The picture above is an oversized slewing ring bearing produced by FV, used in stackers and reclaimers.

3. Summary

Slewing bearings are an important part of mechanical equipment, and their normal operation impacts the performance and service life of the equipment. During use, you should pay close attention to the operation of the bearing and detect and handle faults promptly. At the same time, regular maintenance and upkeep should be carried out to ensure the bearings' normal operation and service life. During maintenance, attention should be paid to details and quality to ensure the results meet the expected goals. Through reasonable maintenance and use, the service life of the slewing bearing can be effectively extended, and the stability and reliability of the equipment can be improved.