Greasing bearings on farm equipment takes a lot of time. What if the bearings could lubricate themselves? Yes, they do exist and are made by GGB Bearings Technology.
GGB manufactures high-performance, self-lubricating, and pre-lubricated bearings. The company’s bearings are used in a broad spectrum of applications and industries, including:
• Automotive
• Pumps/compressors
• Agricultural equipment
• Recreational equipment
• Renewable energy
• Primary metals
• General industrial
The company’s offerings include metal-polymer, solid polymer, filament wound and metal bearings, bushing blocks, and more. They are available in a variety of forms, including cylindrical wrapped bearings, flanged bearings, thrust washers, strips, and special forms manufactured to customers’ specifications.
In agricultural equipment, GGB bearings are used in linkage and pivot points, hinges, pedals, steering and suspension assemblies. They are also used in hydraulic cylinders in tractors, harvesters, mowers, cultivators, front loaders, trailers, baler presses, silage cutters, hoes, and plows.
Two bearing types used in agricultural equipment are metal-polymer materials and filament wound materials:
Metal-Polymer Materials
PTFE-based metal-polymer materials: DU®, DU®B, DP4™, DP4B™, DP31™, DP10™, DP11™: The metal backing provides mechanical strength, while the bronze sinter layer provides a strong mechanical bond between the backing and the bearing lining. This construction promotes dimensional stability and improves thermal conductivity.
Thermoplastic-based metal-polymer materials: DX®, DX®10, DS™, HI-EX® DX®, DS™ and HI-EX®: These have a similar structure to the PTFE-based materials described above; however, with these products, the bearing lining consists of a filled thermoplastic extruded tape. These materials are generally designed to operate with marginal lubrication. DX® and HI-EX® are most commonly provided with a uniform pattern of indents in the bearing surface that act as grease reservoirs.
Filament Wound Materials
GAR-FIL®, GAR-MAX®, High Strength GAR-MAX®, HSG™, Multifil™, MLG™, HPM™, HPF™, MEGALIFE®XT, SBC™: This range of products typically consists of a filament wound, fiberglass-impregnated epoxy backing with a variety of low-friction, wear-resistant bearing linings. The reinforced composite structure enables the bearing to support high static and dynamic loads. Furthermore, the inert nature of the materials makes these products ideal for corrosive environments such as seawater and acidic environments.
For more information, see the GGB website at http://www.ggbearings.com.