Crusher Bearing Selection and Lubrication Best Practices

Crusher Bearing Selection and Care

Bearings are critical components in crushers — a single bearing failure can cause hours or days of unplanned downtime. Proper bearing selection, lubrication and maintenance are essential for reliable crusher operation. This guide covers best practices for crusher bearings.

Types of Bearings Used in Crushers

Spherical Roller Bearings:

• Most common bearing type in jaw and cone crushers
• Self-aligning — accommodates shaft deflection and misalignment
• High radial and axial load capacity
• Available with tapered bore for easy mounting

Cylindrical Roller Bearings:

• Used in impact crushers and some cone crusher countershafts
• High radial load capacity
• Separable design simplifies maintenance

Deep Groove Ball Bearings:

• Used for lower-load applications (screens, smaller equipment)
• Lower cost but limited radial capacity

Lubrication Methods

Grease Lubrication:

• Suitable for applications with lower speeds and temperatures
• Requires periodic re-greasing
• Grease selection depends on temperature and load
• Typical recommendation: Lithium-complex EP grease, NLGI 2

Oil Lubrication:

• Circulating oil systems for larger crusher bearings
• Better heat dissipation — recommended for high-speed applications
• Oil filtration improves bearing life
• Oil analysis allows condition monitoring

Crusher Bearing Selection and Lubrication

Lubrication Best Practices

For Grease-Lubricated Bearings:

• Establish a re-greasing schedule based on hours of operation
• Use the correct grease volume — over-greasing causes overheating
• Purge old grease during re-greasing
• Wipe fittings clean before greasing
• Maintain a grease log

For Oil-Lubricated Bearings:

• Check oil level daily
• Monitor oil temperature (normal range: 40-65°C)
• Change oil at manufacturer-recommended intervals
• Replace filters regularly
• Send oil samples for analysis every 3-6 months

Bearing Failure Analysis

Common Failure Modes and Root Causes:

Fatigue Spalling: Normal end-of-life — replace at planned intervals

Abrasive Wear: Contamination ingress — check seals and breathers

Smearing: Insufficient lubrication — increase grease volume

Corrosion: Moisture ingress — improve sealing

Overheating: Over-greasing or incorrect lubricant — review lubrication practice

Bearing Selection Guide

WSHT supplies genuine replacement bearings for all major crusher brands and can provide lubrication system design for new installations.