Metric and Inch Tapered Roller Bearings

Metric and Inch Tapered Roller Bearings

Tapered roller bearings are widely used in automotive, gearbox, industrial and heavy-duty applications where both radial and axial loads need to be supported.

For buyers, choosing the correct bearing is not only about the bearing number. The dimensional standard, application, load requirements and replacement requirements should also be considered.

Metric Tapered Roller Bearings

Metric tapered roller bearings are commonly identified by series such as 30200, 30300, 32000, 32200 and 32300.

Their dimensions are normally specified in millimetres, including bore diameter, outside diameter and overall width.

Common applications include:

• Gearboxes

• Industrial machinery

• Automotive equipment

• Pumps

• Agricultural machinery

• Heavy-duty equipment

Inch Tapered Roller Bearings

Inch tapered roller bearings are widely used in applications designed around imperial dimensions, particularly in North American automotive, trailer, agricultural and heavy-duty equipment.

Unlike many metric bearings, inch tapered roller bearings are commonly identified by separate cone and cup numbers. Both components need to be correctly matched when ordering or replacing a bearing. 

Typical designations include families such as:

• LM series

• HM series

• L series

• M series

When replacing an inch bearing, buyers should confirm the original cone and cup numbers rather than selecting a bearing only by approximate dimensions.

Non-Standard Tapered Roller Bearings

Not every machine uses a standard catalog bearing.

For special equipment, the required bearing may have a different bore, outside diameter, width, contact angle, internal design or mounting arrangement.

In these cases, non-standard bearings or custom bearing solutions may be considered.

Before requesting a custom bearing, provide as much information as possible, including:

• Bore diameter

• Outside diameter

• Width

• Load

• Speed

• Operating temperature

• Application

• Original bearing number

• Available drawing or sample

A drawing, sample bearing or complete dimensional information can significantly improve the accuracy of bearing selection.

How to Choose the Right Tapered Roller Bearing

When sourcing tapered roller bearings, buyers should check three key areas:

1. Dimensions
Confirm bore, outside diameter and width.

2. Bearing type and series
Determine whether the application requires a metric, inch or special design.

3. Application requirements
Consider radial load, axial load, speed, temperature, lubrication and installation conditions.

Metric and inch bearings should not be substituted simply because their dimensions appear similar. The complete bearing specification and original application should be verified before replacement. 

Bearing Sourcing from China

For distributors, maintenance companies and equipment manufacturers, finding the correct bearing can sometimes be more important than simply finding the lowest price.

DBS Bearing supports sourcing of tapered roller bearings, inch tapered roller bearings and non-standard bearing solutions for different industrial and automotive applications.

Send us the original bearing number, dimensions, drawing or application requirements, and we can help check the suitable bearing specification.