If a large bearing is damaged during lifting, you won’t notice it while mounting it, you’ll notice it when the machine stops again.
Handling large bearings creates specific challenges in industrial maintenance. Because of their weight, cranes, slings or lifting devices are unavoidable, yet the internal structure of the bearing remains just as sensitive as that of a smaller one. In these situations, damage is rarely visible. Instead, internal stresses are introduced that only show up later as noise, increased temperature or abnormal running.
That is why it is worth taking a closer look at what happens to a bearing before it ever reaches its installation position – and why this phase is where most risks remain unnoticed.
Bearings are often damaged before they are installed
When a bearing fails, attention usually turns to lubrication, mounting or operating conditions. These are all critical factors. However, in many cases the root cause occurs much earlier, during the handling and positioning of the bearing.
Handling a large bearing is not a simple transfer operation. During lifting:
- the bearing loads itself with its own weight,
- forces are introduced through the lifting points,
- and its position changes continuously.
These factors can generate mechanical stresses that act outside the bearing’s intended load directions.
Why heavy weight increases the risk
Mass, inertia and lack of control
The larger the bearing, the more significant inertia becomes. During lifting, stopping or direction changes, the bearing does not immediately follow the crane’s movement. At these moments, temporary but concentrated loads can occur – especially if the bearing is not kept perfectly axial during handling.
With bearings weighing several hundred kilograms, even a small tilt or twist can be enough to shift the relative position of the inner ring, outer ring and rolling elements into an unfavorable alignment.
Handling large bearings with slings – typical risks
Slings and chains are commonly used for lifting bearings. On their own, they are not the problem. The risk arises when:
- the load is not applied axially,
- the grip is not symmetrical,
- the bearing tends to tilt or rotate during lifting.
In these cases, the load is no longer evenly distributed. This may not be visible from the outside, but internally the bearing components are already subjected to stresses that will later “travel with the bearing” into operation.
Bearing handling: where most damage goes unnoticed
One characteristic of damage caused during bearing handling is that it does not cause immediate failure. Nothing breaks, no cracks appear, and there are no obvious external marks.
What actually happens is microscopic:
- local surface indentations on raceways,
- stress concentrations on rolling elements,
- subtle deformation of seals.
These effects only become apparent under operating load. The bearing works, but it no longer starts from an ideal condition. As a result, later symptoms are rarely linked back to a specific moment, even though the cause often lies in how the large bearing was handled.
What makes a lift controlled?
A controlled lift is not necessarily slower. It is predictable. The goal is to ensure that during large bearing handling, the bearing:
- is held securely,
- remains aligned with the shaft axis,
- is moved without tilting or twisting.
This becomes especially important when the bearing must not only be lifted, but also precisely positioned, rotated or aligned.
The role of stable gripping
Stable gripping means the bearing cannot “move on its own” during lifting. Loads do not shift unpredictably, and internal components are not exposed to unintended stresses.
This is where solutions such as the Simatool bearing handling tool (BHT) come into play – not as mandatory equipment, but as tools that make handling controlled and repeatable.
Human factors with mechanical consequences
An unstable lift affects more than just the component. The team tends to work more cautiously and under tension, with more corrections and manual adjustments. These are not mistakes, but they increase the number of variables involved.
With controlled handling:
- there is less improvisation,
- positioning is more precise,
- the overall installation process becomes more predictable.
This is not a workflow issue – it is a mechanical consequence. The fewer uncontrolled movements occur, the lower the risk of introducing internal preload.
When does dedicated equipment make sense for handling large bearings?
Tools like the Simatool BHT are not necessary in every situation and it is important to say that.
They are worth considering when:
- large, heavy bearings are handled regularly,
- crane lifting is required but secure gripping is difficult,
- preserving bearing condition before installation is critical.
They are less critical when:
- bearings are small enough to be handled manually,
- interventions are rare and occasional,
- handling is simple and free from tilting.
Making this distinction allows for technically sound decisions instead of tool-driven ones.
Large bearings are designed to carry heavy loads – that is their purpose. The real question is when and from which direction those loads are applied.
Bearing life is often not determined during lubrication or installation, but earlier – while the bearing is “only” being handled.
If you have any questions, please read the FAQ section below or feel free to contact our expert colleagues!
You can find our special tools for removing, installing and moving bearings in our Simatec webshop!
