Self-lubricating bearings in agricultural environment

Withstanding rough agricultural environments

In agriculture, machinery often works in tough conditions with lots of dirt and dust. Keeping this equipment running smoothly is essential, but traditional lubrication systems can cause issues, leading to more maintenance and unexpected breaks. From plows and harvesters to seeders and tillers, our bushings, thrust washers, wear plates, and spherical bearings are designed to ensure smooth and reliable operation. Our self-lubricating D-glide^® materials are ideal for high-load agricultural applications, offering exceptional performance in abrasive environments.

I want to read more

Why you should not depend on lubrication systems

Bearings for agricultural machinery need optimal sliding properties, high load capacity, and a long lifetime. These are challenging goals given the environment in which the equipment operates. Traditionally, bronze and metal bearings with lubrication systems were used to ensure smooth operation and protection against corrosion. Whenever there is no automatic lubrication system, it all comes down to the discipline of the operator to lubricate periodically.

If a lubrication system fails the bearing can quickly suffer, which leads to potential breakdowns with the consequence of downtime. Repairing or replacing this bearing which are often installed in hard-to-reach locations inside machinery is not desirable. Besides downtime, keep in mind that lubrication attracts and encapsulates dirt which turns into a sticky abrasive paste over time. Although adding more lubrication seems like a solution it often leads to a recurring cycle of problems.

Why should you depend on D-glide^® self-lubricating bearings?

Since traditional bearings with lubrication may not be optimal, let’s explore an alternative you should consider.

D-glide^® bearings are designed to provide optimal sliding properties by gaining lubrication from the material itself. This means that you have the benefits of lubrication systems, but then without the disadvantages. Another benefit of composite compared with conventional metallic bearings is the elasticity of the material. This means they offer more design flexibility and are better at absorbing small deformations, such as shaft misalignment. As a result, the load is more evenly distributed over the support surface, reducing the maximum Hertzian stresses in the material. This will significantly extend the lifetime of the bearings and reduce the chance of damage to the counterface material. This is a key advantage of using composite bearings over metallic bearings in specific applications.