Frantz® built its conveyor bearing reputation on the quality and performance of its commercial grade Non-Precision bearing assemblies for conveyor rollers. Conveyor bearing lubrication is a critical component in selection decision for superior bearing performance and longevity. Most of Frantz Non-Precision Conveyor Bearings are offered either lightly oiled or grease packed. GENII® Semi Precision Conveyor Bearings and GenStar® Precision Conveyor Bearings are grease packed. Click for Technical Information on conveyor bearing lubrication.

Certain environments have operating conditions that cause conveyor bearing lubricants to dry out or degrade and a grease packed option alone is not sufficient. These situations require conveyor bearings with regreasable features.

Always ascertain the temperature range for conveyor bearing lubricants. But in high heat situations (above 120°F) grease starts to oxidize and oils evaporate even within the stated range of the lubricant. The degree of heat, the length of time a bearing is subjected to heat, and the movement of air over the rollers (as in a drying oven) all significantly affect the evaporation or oxidation of the oils in the grease. Further, above 300°F, the hardness of the steel components starts to degrade and will shorten the conveyor bearing life.

Dusty conditions allow for grit to infiltrate into the grease, increasing friction and reducing conveyor bearing life. For maximum bearing protection in this type of environment, choose a regreasable conveyor bearing with contact felt seals. Click for more information on contact felt seal protection. Under certain conditions, conveyor bearings supplied “dry” may work best so that a minimum amount of dust adheres to the balls and races. Dry conveyor bearings will perform in low RPM powered applications (50 RPM or less), but bearing life will be reduced. Contact felt seal protection is available in dry and non-regreasable bearings too. Consult with our Customer Service Representatives for other options.

In circumstances where greased conveyor bearings are required in low temperature high humidity applications, moisture may be absorbed causing a breakdown in the lubricant. In freezer applications, “dry” conveyor bearings may also be considered when thickened grease increases friction beyond acceptable levels.

Chain Driven Live Rollers (CDLR) are often used to move heavy loads. Click for further information on Sprocketed CDLR Bearing and Roller Solutions.

In all the above circumstances, regreasable options allow for a purging and replenishment of the grease to increase bearing life and may be the right choice.

Whatever the environmental circumstances, Frantz provides conveyor bearing options for your needs.

Frantz offers three optional regreasable conveyor bearing designs.

• Re-lube Port – Bearing Face
  Frantz offers conveyor bearings with re-lube ports on the face of the bearing. This is the most economical option for customers needing a regreasing option but without the additional cost of special lubrication access through the axle. Customers utilize a needled grease gun to lubricate the conveyor bearings. See table below for Regreasable Conveyor Bearings with re-lube ports on the bearing face.
  
  
• Re-lube Ports – Inner Race
  The most common re-lube design is to bore a hole in the end of the hex axle and cross drill a hole on the hex face where the axle mates with faces of the bearing inner race. A grease fitting is then inserted into the end of the axle. All six faces of the bearing inner race have re-lube holes drilled into them and a back shield plate is provided to contain the grease. The holes in the race line up with holes in the axle. Grease squeezed through the grease fitting enters the ball complement through the holes in the inner race. See table below for Regreasable Conveyor Bearings with re-lube ports on the inner race.
  
  
• Grease Receptacle – Domed Back Plate
  Some applications require the conveyor bearing to maintain a reservoir of grease to continually draw from and lubricate the ball complement. Frantz has designed domed back closure plates in selected conveyor bearings to accomplish this. The conveyor bearing is lubricated through the hex axle but the exit holes are located beyond the inner race under the back plate dome. The dome can then be loaded with grease. See table below for Regreasable Conveyor Bearings with grease receptacles in domed back plates.

Can’t find a regreasable conveyor bearing option that works for your application? Regreasing options for selected bearings may be made available upon special request. Please contact our Customer Service representatives with your request.