Agricultural bearings run in hostile environments.
As a result, builders do their best to design seal systems that keep the shiny steel surfaces clean.
However, the best laid plans sometimes go awry, as was the case with the four-bolt flange bearing unit depicted in the first six photos on this page.
The bearing is from a grain auger and lasted less than two years because of improper greasing.
It was sent to NTN head office in Mississauga, Ont., where an autopsy was performed and photos taken by Marcus Wickert.
“This was a classic case of contamination ingress. The bearing didn’t have to fail this soon,” Wickert said.
Wickert, an engineer and manager of technical resources for NTN Canada, provided the analysis for the following photos.
For more information, contact Wickert at wickertm@ntn.ca or visit www.ntn.ca.
