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Look at the application where the bearing mounts. If the bearing rides within a pivot-point, such as the front axle of a riding lawnmower, the bearings are plain. A plain bearing is simply a brass or bronze sleeve that rides on a shaft to reduce friction between moving parts. Grease plain bearings often to maintain a fresh film of lubrication between the plain bearing and the shaft.
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Grease bearings residing in a bearing cavity fitted with a grease fitting. A lawnmower blade spindle is an example of a bearing housing that includes a grease fitting to allow for grease service. These bearings are generally the open-face type, meaning the rolling elements are visible.
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Clean bearings incorporating seals to retain their original grease, but do not apply grease to them. Bearings found in grease-for-life applications, such as in fan motors on air conditioners and refrigerators, will last for years if they are kept clean. Not only do the seals retain grease within the bearing housings, but the seals prevent new grease from penetrating the inside of the bearing. In addition, sealed bearing applications do not provide a means for greasing such as an external grease fitting.
5/15/11
How to Tell the Difference Between a Bearing to Grease & One Not to Grease
Several types of bearings exist in machinery, motors and other equipment. The two most common are plain and rolling-element bearings. While all plain bearings use either oil or grease for lubrication, rolling-element bearings are available with a grease-for-life option; seals maintain the grease within the bearing cage, and require no further greasing during their serviceable life. Open-face and shielded bearings, on the other hand, do require routine grease service to remain operable.
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