A. BASIC TAPERED ROLLER BEARING DESIGN ....................

35

B. TIMKEN BEARING TYPES.............................................

612

1. Popular bearing types ................................................

1.1. Single-row bearings

1.2. Two-row bearings
1.3. Spacer assemblies
1.4. Package bearings
1.5. Thrust bearings
2. Sealed bearings ........................................................

10

3. Precision bearings .....................................................

10

1. UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

3.1. Single-row bearings

3.2. Hydra-Rib bearings
3.3. High speed bearings
3.4. Crossed roller bearings
4. Other two-row bearings..............................................

10

5. Four-row bearing assemblies.......................................

11

6. Heavy duty thrust bearings..........................................

12

7. Other tapered roller bearing types...............................

12

C. HOW TO RECOGNIZE YOUR PART NUMBER.................

1323

1. Symbols ....................................................................

13

2. Bearings series ..........................................................

13

3. Inch part numbering systems .......................................

13

3.1. Original inch part numbering system

3.2. ABMA inch part numbering system
3.3. Prefixes and Suffixes
4. Metric part numbering systems ....................................

20

4.1. J-Line part numbers

4.2. Original ISO metric bearings (30000 series)
4.3. New ISO 355 part numbering system
4.4. New metric bearings
5. Optimum bearing selection: ISO 355...........................

23

6. Bearing assembly numbers .........................................

23

A. Basic tapered roller bearing design

Because of their geometry and design features, Timken
tapered roller bearings provide several important and
unique performance characteristics to meet a wide range
of application requirements.
Tapered roller bearings consist of four basic components.
These are the cone, the cup, tapered rollers and a cage (roller
retainer) (fig. 1-1). Under normal operating conditions, the
cone, cup and rollers carry the load while the cage separates
the rollers. The cone, rollers
and cage are referred to as
the cone assembly and this
is usually separable from the
cup, facilitating equipment
assembly.
Cup

True rolling motion

The extensions of the raceways and rollers of a tapered roller
bearing are designed to converge at a common point on the
axis of rotation called the apex (fig. 1-2). This results in true
rolling motion of the rollers on the raceways, at every point
along the roller body.

Cage

Cone

Rollers
Fig. 1-1
Components of a single-row tapered roller bearing (type TS).

Apex

Fig. 1-2
On-apex design results in true rolling motion at all points long the
roller body.

Shallow angle for

heavy radial load

Steep angle for

heavy thrust load

Fig. 1-3
Designs to support radial and thrust loads in any combination.

Combined radial and thrust load capability

The angled raceways allow the tapered roller bearing to carry
combinations of radial and thrust loads. The greater the angle
between the cup and bearing centerline, the greater the ratio of
thrust to radial load capacity (fig. 1-3). Long line roller/race
contact gives the tapered roller bearing a high load carrying
capacity. This and the capability to carry radial loads, thrust
loads, or any combination of the two, makes tapered roller
bearings the ideal choice for most applications.
For a given bore, it is possible to select a light or heavy section
to meet application load/duty requirements (fig. 1-4).

Light section

Heavy section

Fig. 1-4
Designs to suit the space available.

Positive roller alignment

Positive roller alignment is one of the major features of tapered
roller bearings. The tapered configuration of the roller not only
ensures true rolling motion with long line load-bearing contact,
but also generates a seating force that pushes the roller
against the large rib of the cone. This seating force is a
function of the different angles of the cups and cones (see
vector diagram fig. 1-5). It prevents the rollers from skewing
off apex, thereby always keeping them positively aligned and
located against the cone large rib.
Outer race
resultant

Radial
Seating
force

Thrust
Outer race
Inner resultant
race
resultant

Seating force

Thrust

Radial
Inner race
resultant

Elliptical
roller-rib
contact

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

Fig. 1-5
Small seating force against the cone rib keeps rollers aligned
on the raceway.

Fig. 1-6
Internal roller profiling of components result in uniform
stress distribution under normal loading conditions.

Bearing material

Bearing reliability begins with the material from which the

product is made. The material selection can have a dramatic
impact on a bearings ability to meet the application
requirements. Additionally, the heat-treatment process that
accompanies material selection largely dictates durability
by its impact on several bearing characteristics, including
hardness profile, bearing microstructure, final raceway
surface finish and residual stress.
Traditionally, Timken bearings have been produced from lowcarbon, carburizing grades of steel. The introduction of
carbon during manufacture, and the high alloys in the steel,
assures the proper combination of a hard, fatigue-resistant
case and a tough, ductile core (fig. 1-7). Benefits of casehardened bearings include:
Residual compressive stresses in the surface that retard
propagation of fatigue cracks.
An enhanced ability to endure heavy shock loads as a
result of the tough, ductile core.
Improved debris resistance due to the metallurgical
characteristics of the surface.

Timken tapered roller bearings have a spherical surface

ground on the large ends of the rollers. The radius of this
surface is slightly less than the apex length (distance from the
roller large end to the apex). The roller large end makes point
contact with the cone large rib when under light load. Under
heavier load, this contact area becomes elliptical. The roller
rib interface geometry promotes hydrodynamic lubrication in
the contact area.
The seating force of the roller against the rib is normally small
and therefore contact stresses are relatively low. This is true
whether pure radial load or pure thrust load is involved.

Contact geometry
Standard tapered roller bearings have components with
specific profiles that result in uniform stress distribution under
normal loading conditions along the effective roller contact
length (fig. 1-6). For extremely heavy loads or significant
misalignment, or both, modified profiles can be provided to
minimize geometric stress concentration at the ends of roller
contact.

Fig. 1-7
Hardened case of bearing components provides fatigue resistance
and the ductile core provides toughness.

Through-hardened bearings are typically manufactured from

high carbon steel grades. Steel with this high carbon content
requires no additional carbon to be added during the heattreatment process to achieve the appropriate hardness for
bearing applications. Although the uniform hardness found
in through-hardened product can result in rapid crack
propagation and lower fatigue life, the likelihood of a bearing
with sufficiently clean material developing a premature crack
and propagating may be low when the application has
moderate loading with no impact loads.

It is widely accepted that case-hardened bearings outperform

through-hardened bearings in adverse environmental conditions
such as high loading, high temperature, thin lubricant film,
heavy press fits and shock loading. Through-hardened product
also requires better raceway surface finishes to achieve the
equivalent lubricating benefits of case-hardened bearings.
However, there are applications where through-hardened
products adequately meet performance requirements. Timken
offers both case-hardened and through-hardened bearings to
encourage the selection of the most cost-effective performance
option based on the applications needs.
Bearing performance and life have been extensively studied
at The Timken Company (as well as in field conditions) to
determine the best steel composition and heat-treatment
combinations. Bearings for normal service conditions are
applicable when:
Maximum temperatures do not exceed 150C (300F).
Minimum ambient temperatures are not below 50C
(65F).
The maximum Hertzian contact stresses do not exceed
4,000 MPa (580,000 PSI).
Normal sustained operating temperature should not
exceed 121C (250F).
Premium steels are available for applications requiring
extended life and reliability where inclusion origin fatigue is
anticipated. Specialty steels for high-temperature applications
are also available. Contact your Timken sales engineer or
representative to specify the right material for an applications
requirements.

Cage material and design

The cage of a tapered roller bearing does not carry load and
serves only to retain and space the rollers around the race.
Therefore, the cages on most Timken bearings are made from
a low-carbon, mild steel stamping.

Polymer cages
Some bearings designed for specific field applications, such
as the UNIPACTM bearing (page 9), have polymer cages.
Other specialized bearings, such as crossed roller bearings
(page 10), use polymer separators between the rollers instead
of a one-piece cage.

Non ferrous machined cages

Some thrust bearings are supplied with nonferrous machined
cages.

Special reinforced and guided cages

For specific applications subject to high loads combined with
high speeds, heavy shock loading, vibrations (torsional, lateral,
etc.) and/or high accelerations and decelerations, bearings
with special reinforced and guided cages must be selected.
These specific L Riding cages are produced with heavier
material thickness, larger bridge sections (fewer rollers are
therefore present when compared to the standard bearing
design) and their design allows the cage to be guided onto the
cone small rib O.D. (fig. 1-9).
A full range of these products in type TS is currently available.
For more information, consult a Timken Company sales
engineer or representative.
When necessary, alternative cage material can be provided
for most bearings.
For maximum load carrying capacity a bearing can be
designed having a full complement of rollers (i.e. with no
cage), but these are limited to applications operating at
relatively low speeds.

Pin-type cages
The pin-type cage (fig. 1-8) consists of two rings, one at each
end of the rollers. Cage pins pass through holes in the center
of each roller and are threaded into one cage ring and
welded into the other. When designed with a pin-type cage,
medium and large bore TS bearings can have more rollers
and therefore an increased load-carrying capacity.

Fig. 1-9
Bearing equipped with 'L Riding' cage.
Fig. 1-8
Pin-type cage for large bearings.

TM = Trademark of The Timken Company

1. Popular bearing types

1.1. Single-row bearings
TS *
TSF *
1.2. Two-row bearings
TDO */ DC / CD
TDI / TDIT *
TNA / TNASW / TNASWE *
1.3. Spacer assemblies
SS *
SR *
2TS-IM
2TS-DM
2TS-TM
1.4. Package bearings
Pinion-PacTM
UnipacTM
Unipac-PlusTM
APTM *
SPTM
1.5. Thrust bearings
TTC *
TTSP *
TTHD *

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

B. Timken bearing types

Bearings marked* are described in detail and listed by part

number in this publication. Additional information on typical
applications where these bearings are used is given in section
2 Selecting by bearing types (pages 33 to 43). Many other
tapered roller bearings have been developed by The Timken
Company for specific customer applications. For further
information, consult a Timken Company sales engineer or
representative.

2. Sealed bearings
TSL *

3. Precision bearings
3.1. Single-row bearings TS and TSF *
3.2. Hydra-RibTM bearings TSHR *
3.3. High speed bearings TSMA
3.4. Crossed roller bearings TXR *

4. Other two-row bearings

TDIE / TDIA
TNASWH / TNASWHF

5. Four-row bearing assemblies

TQO / TQOW
TQITS / TQITSE
Sealed Work Roll Bearings

6. Heavy duty thrust bearings

TTHDSV / TTHDSX / TTHDFL

7. Other tapered roller bearing types

* Bearings listed in the Bearing Data Tables
TM = Trademark of The Timken Company

1. Popular bearing types

TDI - double cone*

TDIT - double cone with
tapered bore*

1.1. Single-row bearings

TS - single row*
This is the basic and the most
widely used type of tapered
roller bearing. It consists of the
cone assembly and the cup. It
is usually fitted as one of an
opposing pair (see choice of
mounting configuration (fig.
3-9) on page 52).

TS

During equipment assembly

single-row bearings can be
set to the required clearance
(endplay) or preload condition
to optimize performance (see page
104).

TSF - single-row, with flanged cup*

Variation on the basic singlerow bearing-type TSF has a
flanged cup to facilitate axial
location and accurately aligned
seats in a through-bored
housing.

Both comprise a
one-piece (double)
cone and two
single cups. They
are usually supplied
complete with an
cup spacer as a
pre-set assembly. TDI
and TDIT bearings
can be used at fixed
(locating) positions on
rotating shaft
applications.
For
rotating housing
applications the
double cone of
type TDI can be
used to float on the
stationary shaft.
Type TDIT has a
tapered cone to
facilitate removal
when an interference
fit is essential, yet
regular removal is
required.

TDI

TDIT

TNA - non-adjustable*
TSF

TNASW - non-adjustable with lubricant slots*

TNASWE - non-adjustable with lubricant slots and extended back face rib*

1.2. Two-row bearings

TDO - double cup*
This has a one-piece (double)
cup and two single cones. It is
usually supplied complete with
an cone spacer as a pre-set
assembly. This configuration
gives a wide effective bearing
spread and is, therefore,
frequently
chosen
for
applications where overturning
moments are a significant load
component. TDO bearings can
be used in fixed (locating)
positions or allowed to float in
the housing bore - for instance to
TDO
compensate for shaft expansion.
TDODC or TDOCD cups are also available in most sizes.
These cups have holes in the O.D. that permit the use of pins
to prevent cup rotation in the housing.

These three bearing types are all similar to the TDO comprising a one-piece
(double) cup and two cones but the cone front faces
are extended so that they
abut, eliminating the need
for a separate cone spacer.
Supplied with a built in
clearance to give a standard
setting range, as listed, these
bearings provide a solution
for many fixed or floating
bearing applications where
optimum
simplicity
of
assembly is required.
TNA

SR - Set-Right TM assembly*

TNASW

TNASWE

Types TNASW and TNASWE are variations having

chamfers and slots on the front face of the cone to provide
lubrication through the shaft. Additionally, type TNASWE
have extended back face ribs on the cones which are ground
on the O.D. to allow for the use of a seal or stamped closure typically for use on stationary shaft applications.

Type SR are made to a standard setting range, based on The

Timken Companys Set-Right automated setting technique
suitable for most industrial
applications. They have
two spacers and an
optional snap-ring
may be used for axial
location.
Because both types
are made up from
popular sizes of singlerow bearings, they
provide a low cost
choice for many
applications.
SR
There are three basic types of spacer assemblies:

Type 2TS-IM (indirect mounting)

1.3. Spacer assemblies

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

Practically any two single-row bearings (type TS) can be

supplied as a two-row, pre-set, ready-to-fit assembly by the
addition of spacers, machined to pre-determined dimensions
and tolerances. This principle is, in fact, adopted in two
standard ranges of spacer assemblies listed in the main
sections of this guide: types SS and SR.
However, the concept can be applied to produce
custom-made two-row bearings to suit specific applications. In
addition to providing a bearing that automatically gives a
pre-determined setting at assembly without the need for a
manual setting, it is possible to modify the assembly width to
suit an application, simply by varying the spacer lengths.

These comprise of two

single-row bearings with
an cone and cup spacer.
In some applications the
cup spacer is replaced
by a shoulder in the
bearing housing.

2TS-IM

SS - two single-row assembly*

Type 2TS-DM (direct mounting)

Often referred to as snap ring assemblies, type SS consist of

two basic single-row bearings (type TS). But they are supplied
complete with cone and cup spacers to give a pre-determined
bearing setting when assembled. Type SS have a specified
setting range to suit the duty of the application. They also have
an cone spacer and a
snap-ring, which also
serves as the cup
spacer, to give axial
location in a throughbored housing.

These comprise of two

single-row bearings, with
cones abutting and an
cup spacer.
They
are
generally
used at fixed (locating)
positions on rotating
shaft applications.

Type 2TS-TM (tandem mounting)

SS

2TS-TM

2TS-DM

Where combined radial and

thrust load capacity is required,
but the thrust component is
beyond the capacity of a single
bearing (within a given
maximum O.D.), two single-row
bearings can be mounted in
tandem. Appropriate cone and
cup spacers are supplied.
Consult a Timken Company sales
engineer or representative for the
most effective and economical
solution for requirements of this kind.
TM = Trademark of The Timken Company

1.4. Package bearings

APTM bearing*
Pinion PacTM

PINION PAC

The Pinion Pac bearing is a

ready to install, pre-set
and sealed package
consisting of two rows
of tapered roller
bearings mounted in a
carrier. It is customdesigned for the final
drive pinions of heavy
commercial vehicles.
The package gives the
differential pinion builder
considerable improvements
in reliability, ease of assembly
and supply logistics.

UNIPAC TM
The UNIPAC bearing is a tworow tapered roller bearing,
supplied as a maintenance
free, pre-set, pre-lubricated
and sealed package.
Originally designed for the
high-volume needs of
passenger car wheels, the
UNIPAC bearing now has
wider application in wheel
hubs of heavy vehicles as well
as in industrial equipment.

UNIPAC

The UNIPAC bearing gives improvements in reliability, ease of

assembly and supply logistics.

UNIPAC-PLUS TM
The UNIPAC-PLUS bearing is a ready to install, pre-set, sealed
and lubricated for life two-row assembly with a flanged outer
ring. It is a maintenance-free, heavy vehicle wheel package.
The package enables a reduction in the wheel weight by
eliminating the traditional wheel hub and has the advantage
of improving reliability, assembly and supply logistics. An
added advantage for disc
brake equipped axles is
ease of mounting of
the brake disc.

The AP
AP
bearing is a
self-contained
assembly, made in a wide range of sizes. It consists of two single
cones, a counterbored double cup, a backing ring, two radial
seals, an end cap and cap screws. The AP bearing is supplied
as a pre-set, pre-lubricated and sealed package.

SPTM bearing
Similar in concept
to AP bearings,
the SP bearing
is designed
specifically for
journal bearings
on high speed
rail applications.
The SP bearing
SP
type differs from the
AP bearing in that SP
bearings have labyrinth seals, are more compact in size, and are
manufactured to metric boundary dimensions.

1.5. Thrust bearings

TTC - cageless*
TTSP - steering pivot*
TTHD - heavy duty*
Designed for specific fields
of duty where the only
load component is thrust,
there are two basic types
of Timken thrust bearings:
those
for
oscillating
applica-tions (TTC - without
cage, and TTSP - with cage)
and a heavy-duty type
capable of operating at
relatively high speeds
(TTHD).

TTC

TTSP

TTHD

UNIPAC--PLUS

TM = Trademark of The Timken Company

3.4. TXR - Crossed roller bearing*

2. Sealed bearings
TSL*
The TSL incorporates a DUO
FACE PLUS seal, making it an
economical choice for grease
lubricated applications at
moderate speeds.
TSL

3. Precision bearings

3.1. TS and TSF single row bearings*

These bearings are similar in design to the types described in
item 1.1. They are only produced in high precision quality to
be used in machine tool spindles, printing press cylinders and
other applications where accuracy of rotation is required.

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

3.2. TSHR - Hydra-Rib TM

bearing with preload
adjustment device*

10

For many applications, notably in

the machine tool industry, bearings
are required to run at high speeds
with a controlled preload setting.
The Hydra-Rib bearing has a
floating cup rib controlled by
hydraulic or pneumatic pressure
which ensures that the required
bearing preload is maintained
irrespective of the differential
expansions or changes in loading
taking place within the system.
TSHR

3.3. High speed bearings

TSMA - Single row, with axial oil provision
Some applications require extreme
high speed capability where special
lubrication methods must be
provided.
The TSMA is a single-row bearing
with a special provision for
lubrication of the critical roller-rib
contact area to ensure adequate
lubrication at high-speeds. The
concept works by capturing oil in
a manifold (attached to the
cone), which is then directed to
the rib-roller contact area through
holes drilled axially through the
large cone rib.
Consult The Timken Company for
other high speed bearing designs with
specialized lubrication methods.

A crossed roller bearing is, effectively, two sets of bearing

races and rollers brought together at right angles to each other
- with alternate rollers facing opposite directions - within a
section height not much greater than that of a TS bearing.
Also, the steep angle, tapered geometry of the bearing causes
the load-carrying center of each of the races to be projected
along the axis, resulting in a total effective bearing spread
many times greater than the width of the bearing itself. This
type of bearing offers a high resistance to overturning
moments.
The normal design of
the bearing is
type TXRDO,
which has
a double
cup and
two
cones,
with rollers
spaced by
TXRDO
polymer separators.
Crossed roller bearings are manufactured in precision classes.

4. Other two-row bearings

Type TDIE - Extended double cone
Type TDIA
These two-row bearings
are designed for
applications where it is
required to lock the
loose-fitted cone to a
shaft, with provision
also for
effective
closure or sealing typically on pillow
blocks, disc-harrow
and similar agricultural
machinery shafts and
lineshafts.
Type TDIE is available in two
forms: with a cylindrical bore
and the cone extended at
both ends with provision
for set screws and locking
collars at each end,
or with an inherently
self-locking square bore ideal for farm machinery
applications.

TDIE

TDIE (Square Bore)

TSMA
TM = Trademark of The Timken Company

Type TDIA is similar to

type TDIE with
cylindrical
bore.
There is, however,
a provision for a
locking collar at
one end only. The
compact configuration is suited to
pillow block and
similar applications.
TDIA
On all types, the
hardened and ground O.D. of the cone extension provides an
excellent surface for effective closure or sealing.

5. Four-row bearing assemblies

In essence, four-row bearings combine the inherent high-load,
radial/thrust capacity and direct/indirect mounting variations
of tapered roller bearings into assemblies of maximum load
rating in a minimum space. Their main application is on the
roll necks of rolling mill equipment.
All four-row bearings are supplied as pre-set matched
assemblies with all components numbered to ensure correct
installation sequence.

Type TQO
Type TQOW

Type TNASWH - non adjustable, heavy duty, double cup

Type TNASWHF - non adjustable, heavy duty, with flanged double cup
These are two-row bearing
assemblies with two cones
and a one-piece cup, similar
to type TNASW/E listed in
the main section of this
guide.
However, the cups have
a heavy wall section
which is self-supporting,
allowing the bearings
themselves to be used
directly, for example, as
steady rest rollers, in sheet
and strip levellers or, with a
flange (type TNASWHF), as
a complete wheel assembly
for use on rails.
The cup is extended at both
ends and counterbored to
accept stamped closures and
the bearings can be
supplied with these
ready fitted as a unit
assembly (BUT NOT PRELUBRICATED). Rubbing
seals are available for
certain sizes.

TQO

TNASWH

TQOW

TNASWHF

These pairs of directly mounted bearings comprise two double

cones, two single and one double cup, with an cone spacer
and two cup spacers. These types are used on roll necks of low
and medium speed rolling mills, being applied to the necks
with a loose fit. When the fillet and/or filler rings do not
already have lubrication slots, they are provided in the faces of
the bearing cones (type TQOW). Slots in the cone spacer
permit lubricant flow from the bearing chamber to the roll neck.
The cone spacers are also hardened to minimize face wear.

11

Sealed Roll Neck Bearing

The sealed work roll
bearing is similar
to the TQO. A
specially designed
sealing arrangement is incorporated in the
bearing to endure
hostile contamination environments.
The special seal
design is built into
Sealed Roll Neck Bearing
the bearing to eliminate
contamination from the bearing envelope and extend the
useful life.

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

Type TQITS
Type TQITSE

12

The main feature

of these bearings is
a tapered bore the taper being
matched and
continuous through
the cones. This
permits an interference fit on the
back-up rolls of
high-speed mills
where a loose cone fit
TQITS
of a straight bore type
TQO bearing could result in excessive neck wear.
These four-row bearings consist of two pairs of indirectly
mounted bearings: two single and one double cone, four
single cups and three cup spacers. The relevant faces of the
cones are extended so that they abut, eliminating the need for
cone spacers. The indirect mounting of the bearing pairs
increase the overall effective spread of the bearing, to give
optimum stability and roll rigidity.
Type TQITSE is the same as TQITS but has an extension to the
large bore cone adjacent to the roll body. This not only provides
a hardened, concentric and smooth surface for radial lip seals,
but also improves roll neck rigidity by eliminating a fillet ring.
This allows the centerline of the bearing to move closer to the
roll body. It also permits shorter and less costly rolls.

6. Heavy duty thrust bearings

Type TTHDSV
Type TTHDSX
Type TTHDFL
These are special
versions of thrust
bearings type
TTHD. They
are designed
primarily for
oscillating
duty in the
automatic
screw-down
mechanisms
of rolling mills
where sensitive
screw-down response
is required. The upper races
are made with a heavy
wall section ground
concave (type
TTHDSV) or
convex (type
TTHDSX) as
required to
match the end
of the screw.
Because of the
type of duty, the
bearings are completely filled with rollers
for maximum load
capacity.
The TTHDFL
bearing is
similar to the
basic TTHD
bearing,
except one of
its thrust races
is flat.

TTHDSV

TTHDSX

TTHDFL

7. Other tapered roller bearing types

One of the most important single attributes of the tapered roller
bearing is its adaptability to almost any application
requirement.
This inherent adaptability has led, over the years, to the
development of a great many design variants to meet specific
bearing requirements.
TQITSE

Detailed information in this guide is necessarily confined to

those ranges of tapered roller bearings most commonly used
throughout industry. It has not been possible to cover fully the
variety of other types of bearings that The Timken Company
regards as specialty bearings, but which have been
developed for particular or specialized fields of application.
Some of these other bearing types are outlined in this section
and in most cases comprehensive technical literature about
them is available on request.

2. Bearing series
In all the part numbering systems the term bearing series is
used to describe bearings having the same basic internal
geometry (i.e. roller size, included cone and cup angle). Any
cone (including roller set) can be matched with any cup within
the same series providing that the same type of bearing is
being used.

3. Inch part numbering systems

C. How to recognize your part number

The part numbering systems for single-row tapered roller
bearings (type TS) are internationally recognized. Several part
number systems have been developed that can be classified
according to metric or inch systems. Within both the
metric and inch systems, different part number systems have
been developed. Inch system bearings are normally
assigned individual part numbers for the cone and cups,
whereas ISO bearings are assigned a unique part number
for the bearing assembly (cone and cup).

INCH

3.1. Original inch part numbering system

The original system developed by The Timken Company was
based on a family of bearings designed around a common
roller. Varying the number of rollers and the angle of the
raceways allows different bearings to be designed for
predominant radial load (shallow angle) or thrust load (steep
angle).
For example, all the tapered roller bearings in the 500 family
use the same roller. However, the 595 series has a steep
angle and 24 rollers while the 525 series has a shallow angle
and 15 rollers.
Individual part numbers are assigned to the cone and cups.
Although there are exceptions, the general rule is that the cup
has a part number that is lower than the series number,
whereas the cone is assigned a higher number. For example:
Series
Cup
Cone

METRIC

575
572
576

ISO 355 PLAN

ORIGINAL

J-LINE

ABMA

ORIGINAL METRIC

NEW METRIC

< Individual part number for inner and outer race > < Part number describes inner and outer race >

1. Symbols
T

r5

r5

r5

r4

r2

d
D
T
B
C
E

r1
r2
r3
r4
r5

r1

r5

r3

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

bearing bore diameter

bearing outside diameter
bearing width
cone width
cup width
cup small inside diameter
1/2 included cup contact angle
cone back face radius height
cone back face radius width
cup back face radius height
cup back face radius width
cone and cup front face
chamfer height and width

13

3.2. ABMA inch part numbering system

A new inch part numbering system was developed by the
American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) to
address the expansion in the number of new applications and
tapered roller bearing designs.
This part numbering system has become the international
standard for inch-sized bearings.
The ABMA part numbering system applies to new bearing
series only. Existing part numbers according to the original
system, new part numbers that are added to the existing series
and proprietary part numbers of special bearings continue to
be used.
The new part number is divided into 5 alpha-numeric
sections:
Section 1 - Prefix letters
The prefixes will consist of one or two letters and will
designate the duty class for which the bearing is designed.
EL
LL
L
LM
M

Extra Light
Lighter than Light
Light
Light Medium
Medium

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

HM

14

Section 1
Duty

HM
H
HH
EH
T

226

Heavy Medium
Heavy
Heavier than Heavy
Extra Heavy
Thrust only

49

Section 2
Angularity

0
24
25 30
27
28 30
30 30
32 30
36
45
90

to 23 59 59.99
to 25 29 59.99
to 26 59 59.99
to 28 29 59.99
to 30 29 59.99
to 32 29 59.99
to 35 59 59.99
to 44 59 59.99
Up, but not thrust only
Thrust bearing only

Maximum Series indication

bore range
(inches)

Maximum
bore range
(inches)

Series indication

0-1
1-2

15 - 16
16 - 17
17 - 18
18 - 19
19 - 20
20 - 21
21 - 22
22 - 23
23 - 24
24 - 25
25 - 30
30 - 35
35 - 40
40 - 50
50 - 72.5
72.5 and over

640 to 659 incl.

660 to 679 incl.
680 to 694 incl.
695 to 709 incl.
710 to 724 incl.
725 to 739 incl.
740 to 754 incl.
755 to 769 incl.
770 to 784 incl.
785 to 799 incl.
800 to 829 incl.
830 to 859 incl.
860 to 879 incl.
880 to 889 incl.
890 to 899 incl.
900 to 999 incl.

2-3
3-4
4-5
5-6
6-7
7-8
8-9
9 - 10
10 - 11
11 - 12
12 - 13
13 - 14
14 - 15

00 to 19 incl.
20 to 99 incl.
000 to 029 incl.
030 to 129 incl.
130 to 189 incl.
190 to 239 incl.
240 to 289 incl.
290 to 339 incl.
340 to 389 incl.
390 to 429 incl.
430 to 469 incl.
470 to 509 incl.
510 to 549 incl.
550 to 579 incl.
580 to 609 incl.
610 to 639 incl.

---

Section 3
Basic series
indications

Section 4
Component
designator

Section 2 - Angularity designator

The first digit following the prefix will represent the angle
coding as determined by the included angle of the cup.
Included cup angle

Section 3 - Basic series indication

The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th digits following the prefix letters are
reserved for the basic series indication.
The selection of the basic series indication in relation to the
maximum theoretical bore of the bearing will then be in
accordance with the following tabulation:

Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0

Section 5
Modification
suffix

Section 4 Component designator

The 5th and 6th digits, or
the last two digits,
following the prefix letters
will indicate the actual
part number of the
bearing component.
cup numbers will be
indicated by the digits 10
to 19, inclusive, the first
cup made to minimum
section in any series
starting with the number
10. If more than 10 cups
appear in any series,
numbers 20 to 29 will be
utilized where available.

Cone numbers will be indicated by the digits 30 to 49,

inclusive, the first cone made to minimum section in any series
being numbered 49.

Section 5 - Suffix
This will consist of one letter to three letters in pre-arranged
combinations, indicating modifications in external form or
internal arrangement.

3.3. Prefixes and Suffixes

Some of the symbols used by The Timken Company and prefixes and suffixes that are part of the ABMA part numbering standard:
PREFIX
A

CN

SUFFIX
A
A
A
A
A
A
AA
AB
AB
AC
AC
AD
ADW
AH
AL
ARB
AS
ASB
AV
AW
AX
AXB
AXD
AXV
AXX
B
B
B

CONE OR CUP
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cup
Cone
Cup
Cup
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup

BA
BNA

Cup
Cone

BR
BS
BW
BX
BXX
C
C
CA
CB
CD
CE
CP
CP

Cup
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cone
Cup
Cone
Cone
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup

CR
CS
CX
D
DA
DA

Cone & Cup

Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cup

DB

Cup

DB

Cone

EXPLANATION
Standard basic series part number.
Different radius from basic part number.
Different bore from basic part number.
Different complement of rollers.
Different OD from basic part number.
Different radius from basic part number.
Different width from basic part number.
Different bore, OD, width or radius from basic part number.
Different bore, width or radius from basic part number, assembled with brass cage.
Flanged cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Different bore or radius, different internal geometry.
Different OD, width or radius from basic part number.
Double Cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Double Cone. Pilots and slots each end, holes in large rib.
Assembled with special cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry
Assembled with Duo-Face seal.
Single cup with snap ring groove in OD.
Different bore, OD, width, or radius from basic part number.
Single cone, different bore or width from basic part number, assembled with brass cage.
Made of special steel.
Keyway or slotted cone or cup.
Different bore, OD, width, or radius from basic part number.
Different bore, width, or radius from basic part number, assembled with brass cage.
ISO cup - double cup without oil holes or groove.
Different OD, width, or radius from basic part number. Made of special steel.
Different OD, width, or radius from basic part number. Made of special steel.
Flanged cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Cone using brass cage.
ISO bearing with same boundary dimensions as basic part number, but with different
internal geometry, steeper included cup angle.
Flanged cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
ISO cone used in assemblies with 2 cones mated with double cup to form a double row
non-adjusting bearing. (Non-interchangeable with other cones having the same basic
part numbers, which may vary in bore or width dimensions.)
Single cup with groove in OD for snap ring.
Flanged cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Flanged cup with slot. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Flanged Cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Flanged single cup. Made of special steel.
Single cone, envelope dimensions same as basic part number, different internal geometry.
Dimensionally different from basic part number. (Non-interchangeable.)
Single cone, envelope dimensions same as basic part number, different internal geometry.
Single cone, dimensionally different from basic part number.
Double cup with oil holes and groove. One hole counter-bored for locking pin.
Dimensionally different from basic part number. (Non-interchangeable.)
Neoprene cushioned cup.
Flash chrome plated. Otherwise, interchangeable with basic part number
Envelope dimensions same as basic part number, different internal geometry,
customized for performance.
Ribbed cup bearing series.
Dimensionally different from basic part number. (Non-interchangeable.)
Dimensionally different from basic part number. (Non-interchangeable.)
Double cone or Double cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Double cone. (Non-interchangeable with cones having same basic part number.)
Spherical OD double cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number or other double
cups having same basic numbers.)
Double cup with flange. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number or double cups
having same basic numbers.)
Double cone assembled with brass cages.

15

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

PREFIX

16

EE
EH
EL
EX

FL
FX
H

HH

SUFFIX
DC
DD

CONE OR CUP
Cup
Cone & Cup

DE

Cone & Cup

DF
DG
DGA

Cup
Cone
Cone

DGE

Cone

DGH

Cone

DGW

Cone

DH
DP
DR

Cone
Cone
Cup

DRB
DS

Cup
Cup

DT

Cup

DV
DVH
DW

Cone & Cup

Cone
Cone & Cup

DWA
DWH

Cone
Cone

DWV

Cone & Cup

DX
DX

Cup
Cup

DXX
E

Cone & Cup

Cone & Cup

ED

Cup

EDC

Cup
Cone

EXX
F
G

H
HV

HM

Cone & Cup

Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup

HP

Cone

EXPLANATION
Double cup with hole for locking pin.
Special long double cone or cup. (Non-interchangeable with basic part number or other
double parts having same basic numbers.)
Double cone or double cup having different dimensions or other characteristics from
single and double parts identified with same basic part number.
Double cup with oil holes and groove. Snap ring groove on OD.
Double cone with pressure removal groove or helical groove in bore.
Double cone with pressure removal groove or helical groove in bore.
(Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Double cone with pressure removal groove or helical groove in bore.
(Non-interchangeable with basic part number.)
Double cone with presure removal groove or helical groove in bore and with special
cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry.
Double cone with pressure removal groove or helical groove in bore, and having face
slots.
Double cone with special cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry.
Double cone with puller groove.
Double cup for ribbed cup series. (Non-interchangeable with single and double cups
identified with same basic part number.)
Double cup with snap ring groove.
Crowned OD double cup. (Non-interchangeable with other cups having same basic
part numbers.)
Tapered OD double cup. (Non-interchangeable with other cups having same basic
part numbers.)
Double cone or double cup made of special steel.
Double cone, special steel, and/or internal geometry.
Double cone or double cup with keyway or slot. (Non-interchangeable with cones or
cups identified with same basic part numbers.)
Double cone with one end extended and with oil slots in extended end. (Asymmetrical)
Double cone with oil slots, assembled with special cage, rollers, and/or internal
geometry.
Double cone or double cup with keyway or slot. (Non-interchangeable with cones or
cups identified with same basic part numbers.) Made of special steel.
Adaptor for spherical or straight OD cup.
Threaded OD double cup. (Non-interchangeable with cups identified with same basic
part numbers.)
Double cone or double cup made of special steel.
Cones or cups having special characteristics differing from and non-interchangeable
with other cones or cups identified with the same basic part numbers.
Double cups. (Non-interchangeable with other cups identified with same basic part
numbers.)
Double cups, special hole in OD for locking pin.
Large and small ribs - close guided rollers. (Non-interchangeable with other cones
identified with same basic part numbers.)
Extra heavy series.
Extra light series.
Experimental.
Cones or cups having special characteristics differing from and non-interchangable with
other cones or cups identified with the same basic part numbers. Made of special steel.
Assembled with polymer cage.
Free lateral series, no large or small ribs.
Factory identification number only.
Retainer groove in bore.
Heavy series. (Non-interchangeable with other cones and cups identified with same
basic part numbers.)
Assembled with special cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry.
Assembled with special cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry. Made of special steel.
Heavy-Heavy series. (Non-interchangeable with other cones and cups identified with
same basic part numbers.)
Heavy-Medium series. (Non-interchangeable with other cones cups identified with same
basic part numbers.)
Assembled with special cage and/or roller, different internal geometry. Customized for
performance.

PREFIX
J
JC
JD
JE
JF
JG
JN
JP
JR
JRM
JS
JT
JU
JW
K
K
K

SUFFIX
HR

CONE OR CUP
Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cup
Cone & Cup
Miscellaneous

KP

Thrust Bearing
Cone & Cup

L
L
LA
LA, LB,
LC, etc.

Cone
Cup
Cone
Seal

LL
LM
M
N
NA

NP

RC

NA

Cone & Cup

Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone

NA

Cup

NAV
NC
NI

Cone
Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup

NR
NW
NWV
NX
P
P
R

Cone & Cup

R
R
RB
RN

Cone & Cup

Cone
Cup
Cone & Cup
Various

RR
S

Cone & Cup

Cone & Cup

SA

Cone & Cup

EXPLANATION
Special cup used in Hydra-Rib bearing.
Used alone or with other prefix letters to indicate metric bore and/or OD.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series, UNIPAC bearing.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Metric Series.
Double cup with heavy section. May have unusual features such as flange, tapered OD, etc.
Through hardened components, Non-DIN 720 Part Numbers
K prefix with 5 or 6 digits following also used for miscellaneous components (seals,
bolts, filler rings, etc.)
Cadmium plated.
Light series. (Non-interchangeable with other cones and cups identified with same basic
part numbers.)
Cone assembled with Duo-Face seal.
Loose rib. (Part of Unit-Bearing.)
Cone assembled with Duo-Face-Plus seal.
These suffixes are used on a basic Duo-Face-Plus seal number to identify the assembly
resulting from the use of the seal with various cones in the series.
Light-Light series.
Light-Medium series.
Medium series.
Through hardened components, DIN 720 Part Numbers, IsoClass Part Numbers
Bock or Gilliam type bearings.
Two cones mated with double cup to form double row non-adjustable bearing.
(Non-interchangeable with other cones having same basic part numbers which may vary
in bore, OD, and width dimensions.)
Etched electric pencil on double cups mated with two NA type single cones to form
double row non-adjustable bearings.
NA cone made of special steel.
Cushioned cup (usually neoprene.)
Tapered or threaded bore.
Used with random numbers for product differentiation.
NA type ribless cone for ribbed cup series.
NA type cone with slotted front face.
NA type cone with slotted front face. Made of special steel.
Lapped front face.
Puller groove.
Customized for performance.
Gilliam replacement series. (Non-interchangeable with other cones and cups identified
with same basic numbers.)
Special feature bearing. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic
part numbers.)
Bock type bearing.
Basic part number with polymer lubricant.
Snap ring on OD.
Special ribbed cup bearing.
Used with random numbers, not to exceed six (6) digits, for purchased items that are
distributed by Timken.
Relieved race.
Special feature bearing. (Non-interchangable with bearings having same basic
part numbers.)
Special feature bearing. (Non-interchangable with bearings having same basic
part numbers.)
17

PREFIX

T
T

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

TC

18

U
V

SUFFIX
SB
SB
SC
SD
SH

CONE OR CUP
Cone
Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone

SL
SR
SW
SWB

Thrust Bearing
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone

SWV

Cone

SX

Cup

TC
TD
TDB
TDE
TDG
TDGV

Race
Cup
Cone
Cup
Cone
Cup
Cone
Race
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone

TDH
TDL
TDV
TDW
TDXX
TE
TEV
TL
TLE
TP
TPE
TV
TW
TWE

Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup

TXX

Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone
Cone & Cup
Thrust Bearing
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup

T
T
TA
TA
TB

U
US
V
VC
VH
W
W
WA
WB
WC
WD
WE
WS
WV

EXPLANATION
Assembled with brass cage.
Flanged cup.
With square bore.
Double cone with square bore or double cup.
Special feature bearing, with special cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry.
(Non-interchangeable with bearings having same basic part numbers.)
Basic part number with polymer lubricant.
Different radius from basic part numbers.
Slot or keyway. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having same basic part numbers.)
Slot or keyway assembled with brass cage. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having
same basic part numbers.)
Slot or keyway made of special steel. (Non-interchangable with bearings having same
basic part numbers.)
Special feature bearing. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having same basic part
numbers.)
Thrust bearing assemblies.
Double cup with heavy section. May have unusual feature such as flange, tapered OD, etc.
Tapered bore.
Tapered OD.
Tapered bore NA type cone.
Tapered OD.
Tapered bore cone with brass cage.
Thrust bearing assembly.
Tapered bore.
Double with tapered bore.
Double with tapered bore, assembled with brass cages.
Double with tapered bore and extended rib.
Double with tapered bore, pressure removal groove or spiral groove in bore.
Double with tapered bore, pressure removal groove or spiral groove in bore. Made of
special steel.
Double with tapered bore, special cage, rollers or internal geometry.
Double with tapered bore, interlock feature.
Double with tapered bore. Made of special steel.
Double with tapered bore and slots or keys.
Double with tapered bore. Made of special steel.
Single, tapered bore, extended large rib.
Single, tapered bore, extended large rib. Made of special steel.
Tapered bore with interlock feature.
Tapered bore with interlock feature and extended rib.
Tapered bore cone with puller groove.
Tapered bore cone with puller groove, extended cone large rib.
Tapered bore cone or cup OD. Made of special steel.
Tapered bore cone or cup OD with slots or keys.
Tapered bore cone or cup OD with locking keyway in front face, extended cone large
rib or cup width.
Tapered bore. Made of special steel.
Basic series part number, unitized, self-contained.
Basic series part number, unitized, self-contained.
Special close stand.
Special close stand.
Made of special steel.
Special internal geometry. Made of special steel.
Special cage, rollers, and/or internal geometry. Made of special steel.
Slot(s) or keyway(s).
Oil holes in retainer.
Slot(s) or keyway(s).
Slot(s) or keyway(s) with brass cage.
Slot(s) or keyway(s).
Double cone or cup with slot(s) or keyway(s).
Extended face with slot(s) or keyway(s).
Slot(s) or keyway(s).
Slot(s) or keyway(s). Made of special steel.

PREFIX
X

SUFFIX
WXX
X
X

CONE OR CUP
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone
Cone & Cup

Cone & Cup

XA

Cone & Cup

XAA

Cone

XAB

Cone
XB
XB

XC

XGA

Cone & Cup

XD
XD
XD
XDXP
XE

XGB

XR

YKA
YKB
YSA

Cone
Cup

Cup
Cone
Cone
Cup
Cup
Cone
Cone

XP
XS
XV
XW
XX
YD
YDA
YDV
YDW

Cone
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone & Cup
Cone
Cone & Cup
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cone
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cone & Cup

EXPLANATION
Slot(s) or keyway(s). Made of special steel.
ISO part number.
Slot(s) or keyway(s).
Special feature bearing. (Non-interchangable with bearings having the same basic
part number.)
ISO bearing with same boundary dimensions as basic part number but with different
internal geometry, yielding increased rating.
Special feature bearing. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic
part number.)
ISO single cone. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic part
number.)
ISO single cone. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic
part number.)
Different bore, width, or radius, from basic part number. Assembled with brass cage.
Special feature flanged cup. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic
part number.)
Limited production bearings to which standard series part numbers have not been
assigned.
Double cup, no oil holes or groove.
Double cone, different bore or width from basic part numbers.
Double cone, oil holes in large rib.
Double cup, no oil holes or groove, special material and process.
Different bore, width, or radius from basic part number.
ISO single cone. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic part
number.)
ISO single cone. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic part
number.)
Special steel and process.
Crossed roller bearings.
Different bore, OD, width, or radius from basic part number.
Special feature cone or cup made of special steel.
Slotted.
Single cone or single cup. Made of special steel.
ISO part number.
Double cup with oil holes, no groove.
Double cup with oil holes, no groove. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the
same basic part number.)
Double cup with oil holes, no groove. made of special steel.
Double cup with oil holes, no groove. Slot(s) or keyway(s) in face(s).
ISO single cup. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic part number.)
ISO single cup. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic part number.)
ISO single cup. (Non-interchangeable with bearings having the same basic part number.)
Close stand part.

19

4. Metric part numbering systems

4.1. J-Line part numbers
The J prefix letter is used in conjunction with the ABMA part
numbering system to identify metric dimensioned and
toleranced cone and cups. The bearing series designation
does not contain the prefix letter J. J-Line bearings are
referred to as inch bearings in metric bore, O.D. and width.

J HM

226 49

--Section 5
Modification
suffix

Section 3
Basic series
indications

Section 2
Angularity

Section 4
Component
designator

Section 1
Duty

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

4.2. ISO Part Numbering System

20

3
2
1
0

303
302

313

323
322
330

320

Diameter
series

1
Width series

332
331

Section 4 - Cone bore designation

The 2 last digits relate to the cone bore diameter that can be
calculated by multiplying the number indicated by 5, if the
bore diameter is between 20 and 500 mm. For example,
bearing 32218 has a 90 mm bore. If the bore diameter is less
than 20 mm, the last two digits can interpreted as follows:
00=10 mm, 01=12 mm, 02=15 mm and 03=17 mm. If the
bore diameter is greater than 500 mm, then the last 3 digits
(preceded by a slash) correspond to the bore size.

The original metric part numbering system for tapered roller

bearings was based on the ISO 15 dimensional plan for radial
bearings. A 5-digit part number commencing with numeral 3
describes the bearing assembly (cone and cups).

Section 1 - Symbol for bearing type

3 always applies to tapered roller bearings.
Section 2 - Width series
The bearing width is classified from 0 to 3 in increasing order
of width.
Section 3 - Diameter series
The bearing section height is classified from 0 through 3 in
increasing order of O.D. for a given bore size.

Section1
Tapered roller
bearing

Section 2
Width
series

18

Section 3
Diameter
series

Section 4
Cone bore
designation

4.3. New ISO 355 part numbering system

Finding that tapered roller bearings did not conform to the ISO 15
general plan, because dimensions given were not found to be
optimal, the ISO introduced a new numbering system for tapered
roller bearings in ISO 355. This system uses 3 alpha-numeric fields
to define the bearing series. The bearing part number is then

defined by adding the cone diameter in mm after the bearing

series. Although all original metric part numbers were assigned a
new designation in the ISO 355 plan, the original part number is
still used.

Diameter
series
G
F
E
D
C
B

B CD E

B CD E

B CDE

B C D E

Width series

T 4 C B 100
Symbol for tapered roller bearings (optional)
Angle series designation

Angle
series
designation

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

over

incl.

Reserved for future use

10
13 52
15 59'
18 55
23
27

13 52
15 59'
18 55
23
27
30

Diameter series designation

Diameter
series
designation

A
B
C
D
E
F
G

D
d 0.77
over

incl.

Reserved for future use

3.40
3.80
4.40
4.70
5.00
5.60

3.80
4.40
4.70
5.00
5.60
7.00

Width series designation

Width
series
designation
A
B
C
D
E

T
(D d) 0.95
over
Reserved for future use
0.50
0.68
0.80
0.88

Bearing bore diameter (mm)

incl.
0.68
0.80
0.88
1.00
21

4.4. New metric bearings

Section 2 - Cone bore

The cone bore metric diameter is included in the part number
designation of both the cone and cups.

A new range of metric bearings were also included in the ISO

355 plan. These new bearings are specifically applicationoriented and are designed for optimum performance.
To easily identify these part numbers against the application
type, The Timken Company introduced an alpha-numeric part
number designation. The part number construction is similar to
that of J-Line part numbers and separate numbers are assigned
to both cone and cups.

Section 3 - Component designator

Same identification as in the ABMA part numbering system.
For further explanation of prefix and suffix symbols, or
proprietary part numbers of special bearings, a Timken
Company sales engineer or representative should be
consulted.

J-prefix
All of the new metric bearings are identified with a J-prefix that
indicates a new metric dimensioned and toleranced bearing.

J P 100 49

Section 1 - Duty
Indicates application type:
C, D & F = general purpose
N = combination of general purpose and pinion
P = high speed
S and T = pinions
W = high axial loads

Section 1
Duty

Section 3
Component
designator

Section 2
Cone
bore diameter

Comparison table: increase in section for a 55 mm bore bearing

Raceway
angle
between

(mm)
100
90
80
55

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

11 30'
and
15 10'

22

32911
(2BC)

JC5500
(2CC)

32011X
(3CC)

33011
(2CE)

JD5500
(2CD)

33111
(3CE)

30211
(3DB)

32211
(3DC)

120
110
100

55

11 30'
and
15 10'

33211
(3DE)

30311
(2FB)

JF5500
(2ED)

32311
(2FD)

120
110
100

55

18 15'
and 30

JP5500
(4CB)

JS5500
(5DD)

JT5500
(5ED)

JW5500
(7FC)

JN5500
(4FE)

31311
(7FB)

32311B
(5FD)

5. Optimum bearing selection: ISO 355

6. Bearing assembly numbers

ISO 355 offers many application-specific bearing selection

options for a given bore. Depending on application and type
of load, thrust and/or radial, the bearing with the optimum
angle and section can be selected. For example, pinion
bearings have a steep angle, whereas bearings for machine
tools are generally designed with a shallow angle and a lightsection. The previous table demonstrates this feature for 55
mm bore bearings.

Multiple-row bearings and matched bearing assemblies are

assigned a 5-digit alpha-numeric code, in combination with
the cone part number to describe the individual component
parts, inspection level and the adjustment value of pre-set
assemblies: e.g., LM48548-9K2A7.
An assembly number is assigned on receipt of the first order
for new applications. It is very important for correct function of
the bearing in a given application that the same assembly
number is quoted for all subsequent orders.
The Timken Company should be consulted if additional
information is required on the assembly number.

23

24

UNDERSTANDING TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

Notes