Four point contact ball bearings save space

What are Four point contact ball bearings?

A four-point contact ball slewing bearing is a single-row rotary bearing designed to handle axial loads,radial loads,and tilting moment torques all at once.It features a compact structure where each steel ball touches the raceway at four specific points under zero or pure radial load.

These bearings are offered in three main structural variants:gear-free,external-gear and internal-gear types to match different drive system requirements.The ring forgings commonly adopt 42CrMo,50Mn or C45 alloy steel with raceway induction quenching to reach hardness HRC 55-62.Steel balls are manufactured from high-wear-resistant GCr15 bearing steel.Cage choices include 20# steel,ZL102 cast aluminium alloy,and nylon 6/66 spacers.The product size range covers outer diameters from 300 mm up to 10 000 mm with custom dimensions available upon request.Precision grades include P0,P6,P5 and P4 for general-purpose through high-precision working scenarios.

Split ring bolt-connected modular construction simplifies disassembly and on-site maintenance.Standard stock items can be delivered within 5-12 working days,while customised solutions require lead-time confirmation with the engineering team.

The features of Four point contact ball bearings

Gothic Arch Raceway Profile:The inner and outer raceways feature two arc centers that form a Gothic arch cross-section. Under pure axial loading,the steel balls make contact with the raceways at two points (along a $35^\circ$ or $45^\circ$ contact angle),but can contact at four points during combined radial loading.

Bi-Directional Axial Load Capacity:Capable of accommodating high axial forces in both directions,as well as moderate radial loads or moment forces,within a single compact unit.

Split Ring Design (Inner or Outer):Typically designed with a split inner ring (or occasionally a split outer ring). This allows a large number of steel balls to be loaded,maximizing dynamic load capacity while maintaining a solid outer perimeter.

Compact Space & Weight Saving:Replaces paired double-row angular contact ball bearings or face-to-face/back-to-back single-row arrangements,significantly reducing total axial width,machinery weight,and housing space.

Separable Design:The split ring halves are separable from the rest of the bearing assembly,making installation,dismounting,and maintenance inspection straightforward.

Low Axial Clearance & High Rigidity:Engineered with tight internal axial tolerances and precise contact angles to provide high stiffness and accurate shaft positioning under reversing axial loads. 

The applications of Four point contact ball bearings

Industrial Gearboxes & Drives:Used as the primary locating bearing on input,intermediate,or output shafts. They absorb reversing axial thrust loads generated by helical and bevel gear teeth while maintaining precise axial positioning in a narrow housing footprint.

Compressors & High-Pressure Pumps:Applied in screw and reciprocating compressors to manage strong back-thrust forces caused by gas or fluid compression,ensuring high operational reliability under reversing dynamic pressure.

Crane Slewing Units & Turntables:Large-diameter variants serve as slewing rings in mobile cranes,excavator turntables,solar trackers,and radar pedestals,where they carry high overturning (tilting) moments and axial loads simultaneously.

Automotive Transmissions & Steering Systems:Integrated into automatic gearboxes,transfer cases,and electric power steering (EPS) column units where space and weight savings are critical.

Agricultural & Heavy Construction Equipment:Utilized in drive hubs,articulation joints,and PTO shafts to handle aggressive multi-directional loads under tight spatial limits.

Aviation & Wind Turbines:Found in aircraft control actuators and wind turbine pitch or yaw systems where lightweight,high-rigidity load retention is necessary.

Manufacturer of Four point contact ball bearings

Newbeetrans is a professional full-cycle manufacturer of four-point contact ball bearings,covering independent R&D,large-size forging,integral heat-treatment,precision machining and comprehensive performance testing laboratories under ISO 9001 quality-management certification.

Stock & Customization Capacity

Complete standard 010 (gear-free),011/012 (external gear),013/014 (internal gear) series are kept in stock for fast shipment.Our engineering group provides one-stop custom services:special gear parameter development,customized sealing schemes,special material adaptation and non-standard dimension production.The lead-time for custom bearings depends on drawing complexity and raw-material availability.

Strict Full-Process Quality Assurance

Raw-material incoming inspection includes spectral analysis and metallurgical examination.Every finished four-point contact ball bearing undergoes 100 % comprehensive tests including dimensional check,rotational run-out,load-fatigue performance and sealing performance.Material certificates and SGS third-party inspection reports can be provided upon customer’s request.

Advanced Production Facilities

Large CNC heavy-duty lathes,raceway induction quenching equipment and super-finishing grinders are equipped.The MES intelligent production-management system realises full-process traceability for each bearing batch to guarantee consistent quality.

Global Sales & Technical Support

We cooperate with worldwide sea-freight and air-freight carriers and support mainstream international trade terms such as FOB,CIP and DAP.Our technical team offers remote application consulting and installation guidance for global equipment manufacturers.

For technical specifications,pricing,or custom bearing solutions:

Email:paul@newbeetrans.com

Website:www.newbeetrans.com