What should be considered when choosing forklift bearings?

When choosing forklift bearings, you need to consider multiple factors to ensure that the bearings can meet the working requirements of the forklift and improve the reliability and service life of the forklift. Here are some of the main considerations:

1. Load

○ Load capacity: When the forklift is working, the bearing needs to bear the weight of the forklift itself, the weight of the cargo, and various dynamic and static loads. According to the parameters such as the rated load of the forklift, the maximum lifting height, and the center of gravity of the cargo, calculate the radial load and axial load borne by the bearing, and select bearings with sufficient load capacity.

○ Load nature: Consider whether the load is stable or impactful. If the forklift often travels on uneven roads or performs frequent loading and unloading operations, it will generate a large impact load. Bearings that can withstand impact loads, such as tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, etc., should be selected.

2. Speed:

○ The driving speed of the forklift and the lifting speed of the fork will affect the speed of the bearing. Generally speaking, the driving speed of the forklift is relatively low, but when the fork is lifted, the speed of the relevant bearing may be high. For high-speed rotating parts, high-precision, low-friction bearings, such as angular contact ball bearings, should be selected to reduce heat and wear and ensure the stability and life of the bearings.

3. Working environment

○ Temperature: If the forklift works in a high-temperature environment, such as in a steel plant, glass factory, etc., the bearing needs to withstand a high temperature, and high-temperature resistant bearing materials and grease should be selected, such as ceramic bearings or ordinary bearings with special high-temperature grease. In a low-temperature environment, the low-temperature performance of the bearing should be considered to ensure that the grease does not solidify and the bearing can operate normally.

○Humidity and corrosiveness: In a humid or corrosive environment, such as in cold storage, chemical plants and other places, bearings are prone to rust and corrosion. Bearings with good rust and corrosion resistance should be selected, such as stainless steel bearings or bearings with special surface treatment, and suitable rust-proof grease should be used.

○Dust and impurities: In a dusty environment, such as construction sites, mines, etc., dust and impurities can easily enter the inside of the bearing, resulting in increased wear. Bearings with good sealing performance, such as bearings with sealing rings or dust covers, should be selected to prevent dust and impurities from invading.

4. Installation and maintenance

○ Installation method: Consider the installation space and installation method of the bearing. The forklift has a compact structure, and the installation position of the bearing may be limited. It is necessary to select the appropriate bearing type and size for easy installation and removal. For example, some bearings can be installed by press-fitting, while others may need to be installed by hot or cold installation.

○ Maintenance requirements: Choosing easy-to-maintain bearings can reduce the maintenance cost and downtime of the forklift. Some bearings have a long lubrication cycle and good self-lubricating properties, which can reduce the maintenance workload. At the same time, consider the repairability of the bearing, whether it can be easily repaired or replaced when the bearing fails.

5. Accuracy and reliability

○ Accuracy level: According to the working requirements of the forklift, choose a bearing with a suitable accuracy level. For forklifts with higher requirements, such as forklifts used for handling precision instruments, it may be necessary to choose high-precision bearings to ensure the handling accuracy and stability of the goods.

○ Reliability: Forklifts are an important logistics equipment, and their reliability directly affects work efficiency and production safety. Choosing bearings of well-known brands and reliable quality can reduce the probability of failure and improve the overall reliability of the forklift.

6. Cost

○ The cost of the bearing is also one of the factors that need to be considered when choosing. On the premise of meeting the working requirements of the forklift, the price, service life, maintenance cost and other factors of the bearing should be comprehensively considered to select the most cost-effective bearing.