The problem: food industry bearing failures on the processing line
In potato washing and brushing machines, bearings are exposed to continuous water spray, humidity, and contamination. Most facilities face at least one or two bearing replacements each year – if the bearings aren’t changed in time, the roller shaft seizes, production stops, and costly downtime begins. In a seasonal industry, that’s a major issue: every lost day means lost turnover.
This was exactly the case for a French food processor. Competing bearing units were failing prematurely due to water ingress, and the grease simply couldn’t last through the season. The goal was clear: find a more durable, food-grade bearing unit that could cut maintenance costs and reduce unexpected stoppages.
The NTN solution: sealed food industry bearing unit with double protection
NTN engineers recommended the SRB KIT SNC10X22208KEEDS spherical roller bearing unit. This food-grade bearing solution features a double sealing system that keeps the grease inside and prevents water or cleaning fluid particles from entering the bearing. According to NTN’s official documentation, this sealed version can achieve up to three times the lifespan of an open bearing – and it simplifies maintenance at the same time.
The unit comes as part of an “All-in-One Maintenance Kit”, including the bearing, housing, seals, lock rings, and installation guide. Its biggest advantage: it can be used for both fixed and floating applications – so there’s no risk of ordering errors or assembly mistakes. One box, everything included.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
- Reduced grease consumption and fewer relubrication intervals
- Longer bearing life (up to 3×)
- Faster assembly – all components in one kit
- Less waste and lower grease pollution
- Lower risk of incorrect installation
The factory reported that the NTN solution ran continuously for two full production seasons without any maintenance downtime. The result: annual savings of €531,500 thanks to avoided production loss and reduced part replacements (Source: NTN Europe Success Story, 2024).
The bearing didn’t fail – the environment killed it
This case clearly demonstrates that most bearing failures are not manufacturing issues – they are caused by the operating environment. Water, contamination, and improper lubrication together form a deadly mix that only a well-designed food-grade sealing system and sealed bearing construction can resist.
Interestingly, NTN applies the same design principles to other industries such as paper mills, sawmills, and wastewater treatment plants – all facing similar moisture and contamination problems. This proves that solutions developed for one harsh application can effectively extend reliability across multiple sectors.
Takeaway: a good food-grade bearing isn’t just about the material
If your machines operate in wet, washed, or humid environments, price or brand shouldn’t be your first criteria. Focus on seal quality and grease retention. The right food-grade bearing unit can save not only the bearing itself but your entire production season.
If you have questions, contact us – or check the maintenance FAQ below.
Sources: NTN Europe Success Story – Potato Brushing Machines (2024)
