There’s a whole world of activity happening inside bearings. They may seem like simple mechanical components, but within them, highly intricate and precise movements are constantly at work. These seemingly small events enable smooth rotation, and handle immense forces, all helping to ensure the reliability of your operations.
These hardworking components come in a wide variety, and choosing the right one is critical. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between single row bearings, and double row bearings.
Spherical Bearings in a Nutshell
Bearings facilitate smooth, low-friction movement by supporting shafts and other rotating parts. Depending on the application, bearings are designed to handle either radial loads (forces perpendicular to the shaft they support), axial loads (forces parallel to the shaft they support), or a combination of the two.
Spherical bearings feature spherical inner and outer surfaces. That design allows for self-alignment between the shaft and housing, allowing the bearing to tolerate minor misalignments or shaft deflections without causing performance issues. Two common types used in many industries are single row spherical bearings, and double row spherical bearings.
They may have one or two rows of rollers, and the raceways are designed in a concave shape to match the spherical contour of the rolling elements. Spherical bearings have self-aligning properties and high load-carrying capacity, which makes them suitable for heavy-duty industrial machinery, conveyors, and other equipment.
Single Row Spherical Bearings
Single row spherical bearings, as the name indicates, contain one row of rolling elements—either balls or rollers. They are widely used in a variety of industrial applications due to their versatility.
Their simplicity also means they are generally more affordable and easier to maintain. This makes them ideal for industries that want to balance cost with performance. Additionally, single row spherical bearings enjoy lower friction and smoother operation when compared to double row, leading to smoother operation and reduced energy consumption.
Single row spherical bearings also excel when it comes to space-saving designs and efficient sealing options. One of their most notable advantages is the ability to incorporate seals without adding to their overall width, which is key in compact machinery or systems with limited space. This also prevents contaminants like dust or moisture from entering the bearing, extending bearing lifespan.
When to Choose a Single Row Spherical Bearing
For many industrial applications, single row spherical bearings provide the ideal balance between performance, cost, and compactness. While double row bearings are excellent in environments requiring heavy load-bearing, single row spherical bearings will often suffice in moderate load applications, especially where space constraints and alignment flexibility are critical.
- Compact Applications: The smaller size of single row spherical bearings, combined with their ability to incorporate seals without increasing their width, makes them an excellent choice for space-limited environments.
- Moderate Load Applications: For systems that don’t require the heavy load-bearing capacity of double row bearings, single row spherical bearings offer excellent performance at a lower cost.
- Misalignment Issues: With their self-aligning capabilities, single row spherical bearings are ideal for setups where shaft misalignment is an ongoing concern.
Consolidated Bearings offers high-quality single row spherical bearings that provide excellent performance while maintaining a compact form factor. Smooth rotation, resistance to misalignment, and compact seal options make them the top choice for engineers and technicians looking for reliable and efficient bearing solutions.
Double Row Spherical Bearings
While single row spherical bearings offer versatility and space-saving advantages, double row bearings are designed for applications that require greater support. They contain two rows of rolling elements, allowing them to carry higher radial loads compared to their single-row counterparts.
For example, SAF housings (at right) used with double row spherical bearings are engineered to withstand extreme conditions and heavy-duty applications, such as mining, heavy equipment, and large machinery. These bearings also offer greater stability and rigidity than single row spherical bearings, and feature a split housing design to simplify installation and maintenance.
When to Choose a Double Row Spherical Bearing
- High Load Applications: The dual row design distributes loads more evenly, making these bearings ideal for heavy-duty machinery in industries like mining, steel, and paper processing.
- Severe Misalignment: When shaft misalignment is significant due to environmental or operational factors, double row spherical bearings provide enhanced self-alignment capabilities, ensuring smooth operation even in challenging conditions.
- Vibration & Shock: In equipment where vibration or shock loads are present, double row bearings offer greater durability and reliability. The two rows of rollers absorb and mitigate these stresses more effectively than single row bearings.
- Longer Service Life: The ability to carry higher loads and distribute them more evenly extends the service life of double row bearings, making them a better choice for applications where bearing replacement would be costly or difficult.
- Axial Load in Both Directions: If your application requires handling axial loads in both directions, double row spherical bearings provide superior performance in this regard, compared to single row bearings.
Spherical Bearing Tips & Tricks
Even though spherical bearings can handle misalignment, starting with proper alignment in the first place reduces wear and tear. Ensure that you’re within tolerance limits, and your bearings will reward you with a longer life.
Regular lubrication is also key for maintaining the smooth functioning of spherical bearings. Use the grease or oil recommended by the manufacturer to prevent friction, and worse, overheating. Use sealed bearings for maintenance-free applications, or when the environment is contaminated with dirt or moisture.
Nothing can replace regular maintenance and inspections. Regular inspection for signs of wear, pitting, or cracks can catch problems early. Our industrial maintenance division can help, too– whether that’s troubleshooting, or providing routine maintenance services.
Talk to Our Bearing Experts
If you’ve got bearing questions, you’ve come to the right place. Our bearing and power transmission experts can help you with bearings of all types, kinds, and sizes. We even have in person and online bearing and power transmission training!
We’d love to help you find your next industrial solution. Contact us here, or request a quote here. We can also help you in person at one of our 38 branches across the country. Click here to find the location nearest you.
We look forward to assisting you!

