Ilike to buy American bearings, but I don't find many now where I look. . Anyway Japan quality seams to be good, What do you think of China stuff now? When Japan products first came to the market they were a poor quality. Like there wrenches, and probably bearings also, now they seam to be a good quality. Stan.
John Deere uses Chinese bearings.
scootergmc
Well-known Member
- Location
- NorCal
I try not to concern myself with where they're made so long as it's a recognizable reputable brand. Where I run into issues is on old tractor bearings, lack of cross references, so I'm stuck with what I can find. I have had some luck finding NOS bearings on eBay, otherwise it's I don't care, it fits and it's smooth. USA branded componenets and "Made in USA" only goes so far as much of it is produced overseas, China or otherwise.
DanielW
Well-known Member
- Location
- Haliburton, Ontario
Agco also uses Chinese (KML) bearings. I haven't noticed any notable difference for farm equipment: If a new bearing goes bad, it was almost certainly due to some external factor that would have wrecked the bearing regardless of where it was made - and not the fault of the bearing itself.
For farm equipment, I'm ok with anything. Nice to be able to order bearings for $20 from Amazon, arrive the next day, and know they'll still probably outlive you. It's worth remembering that a lot of ag equipment sees far, far less use than industrial equipment. Some of the equipment we build at work, for instance, sees heavy/aggressive operation for two 10 hour shifts per day, six days a week, 52 weeks a year. And sometimes maintained by folks who aren't overly knowledgeable/capable (if maintained at all). In cases like that, having the very best quality bearings is critical. Compare that to, say, my round baler or drill. They get used for about 5 hours at a time, maybe 20 days a year. In cases like this, the industrial equipment we build at work sees more hours in a week than my baler might see in a year.
For ag equipment: I think far more important than make is the seal/shields on the bearing. Most ag equipment I have came from the factory with shielded bearings. Whenever I change out bearings, I always put in sealed bearings where I can. The shields may help prevent the odd case where something might get jammed into the bearing and into the race. But in my experience, far more bearing failures are a result of bearings drying out, getting washed out, or getting dust in them. In these cases sealed bearings are far better at preventing this than shielded bearings.
For farm equipment, I'm ok with anything. Nice to be able to order bearings for $20 from Amazon, arrive the next day, and know they'll still probably outlive you. It's worth remembering that a lot of ag equipment sees far, far less use than industrial equipment. Some of the equipment we build at work, for instance, sees heavy/aggressive operation for two 10 hour shifts per day, six days a week, 52 weeks a year. And sometimes maintained by folks who aren't overly knowledgeable/capable (if maintained at all). In cases like that, having the very best quality bearings is critical. Compare that to, say, my round baler or drill. They get used for about 5 hours at a time, maybe 20 days a year. In cases like this, the industrial equipment we build at work sees more hours in a week than my baler might see in a year.
For ag equipment: I think far more important than make is the seal/shields on the bearing. Most ag equipment I have came from the factory with shielded bearings. Whenever I change out bearings, I always put in sealed bearings where I can. The shields may help prevent the odd case where something might get jammed into the bearing and into the race. But in my experience, far more bearing failures are a result of bearings drying out, getting washed out, or getting dust in them. In these cases sealed bearings are far better at preventing this than shielded bearings.
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Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
My go to place for bearings, hoses and belts is https://www.coldwellco.com/
This is where farmers and factories go to for many industrial items.
Give them a call and post back if they have what you want.
They can ship your order.
560Dennis
560Dennis
- Location
- Madison,Ohio
I shop on eBay for my size bearing , pick the best mfg. ,best price and best delivery.
I don’t shop China , feel the new old stock bearings can save me money with a quality bearing.
Example purchased an outboard new old stock bearing for 560 axle at a huge savings .
I usally use timkin cross reference ,as a guide . Knowing what to look for ,if I need an open bearing ,I remove the seals , if it has a snap ring locator is a bit of a challenge sometimes.
Hope this help s
I don’t shop China , feel the new old stock bearings can save me money with a quality bearing.
Example purchased an outboard new old stock bearing for 560 axle at a huge savings .
I usally use timkin cross reference ,as a guide . Knowing what to look for ,if I need an open bearing ,I remove the seals , if it has a snap ring locator is a bit of a challenge sometimes.
Hope this help s
Mike(NEOhio)
Well-known Member
- Location
- Newbury, Ohio
Even Timken, SKF, etc. are being made overseas or Mexico. Torrington is now Koyo. Years ago I was shocked to find Koyos in the Dana transfer case of my '78 IH Scout. Lately I'm getting bearings and seals from EZ Beariing in Pa. 717 569-8800
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