bearings

[pro bros]

our Kubota gr2100 has a broken bearing in the gearbox.on investigation it appears to have collapsed ie all the balls are out of it .My question is how can abearing that is submersed in oil break up as it is only a slow turning wheel shaft,they are telling me it must have been loaded?:confused1:can someone please explain this in plain English to me how something in a round casing can be loaded thanks in advance for reply

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Inner race-way slipping on the shaft is the usual reason. Should be interference fit and not budge at all.

[GardenKit]

It depends what they mean by 'loaded'

 

A ball bearing will handle loadings at 90 degree to the shaft, but not in line with the shaft (thrust). Taper roller bearings are required to resist thrust.

 

So if your gearbox was incorrectly assembled and too many shims were put in between the gears, the bearing could have been 'loaded'

 

Alternatively it could have failed from contamination of the oil causing mechanical damage, or, if any water were present in the oil, it could have failed from 'cavitation'.