Hyundai Excavator Slewing Bearing Shipped to Asia
In November 2024, LDB successfully delivered a high-performance slewing bearing to an Asian customer for a Hyundai excavator. The product supplied was a four point contact ball slewing bearing, specifically engineered for the demanding turntable applications of modern excavators.
The four point contact ball slewing bearing features a single-row design with a Gothic arch raceway, allowing each steel ball to contact the raceway at four points. This unique geometry enables the bearing to simultaneously support axial loads, radial loads, and tilting moments – exactly what a Hyundai excavator turntable requires during digging, lifting, and slewing operations.
For this Asian customer’s Hyundai excavator, LDB provided a fully customized solution. The bearing was precisely engineered to match the customer’s dimensional and load specifications, ensuring a perfect fit and reliable performance in local job site conditions. The four point contact design offered the compactness and high load capacity needed for continuous excavator operation.
By choosing LDB, the Asian customer received a durable, high-precision four point contact ball slewing bearing that minimizes downtime and extends service life. The November 2024 delivery to Asia demonstrates LDB’s ability to supply quality slewing bearings for major excavator brands like Hyundai, with custom solutions and reliable regional shipping.
What is a Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearing?
A four point contact ball slewing bearing is a precision rotary component primarily composed of an inner ring, an outer ring, a single row of steel balls, a cage (or spacer), and sealing devices. Both the inner and outer rings can be manufactured as either integral or split structures. Integral rings offer higher rigidity, while split rings allow for easier adjustment. For split structures, bolts are used to connect the two split rings before the product leaves the factory.
This type of slewing bearing generally includes a cage or spacer to separate the balls. However, a full-ball (no cage) structure is used when load requirements are relatively high. The full-ball design provides larger load capacity but comes with higher frictional resistance, which can potentially cause scratches on the surface layer of the steel balls.
The basic structure of a four point contact ball slewing bearing is available in three gear configurations: without gear, with external gear, or with internal gear. All configurations offer high static load capacity. As a product of LDB (Luoyang Longda), this bearing type is manufactured with materials including 42CrMo and 50Mn, with nitrile rubber seals as standard.
How Does a Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearing Work?
The working principle of a four point contact ball slewing bearing is based on its unique Gothic arch raceway geometry. Unlike conventional ball bearings where the ball contacts the raceway at two points, this design allows each steel ball to make contact at four points – two on the inner ring and two on the outer ring.
When loads are applied, the contact points engage as follows:
- Pure axial load in one direction: Two of the four contact points become active
- Reversed axial load: The opposite pair of contact points engages
- Combined loads (axial + radial + tilting moment): All four contact points share the load simultaneously
This load distribution mechanism enables a single-row bearing to perform functions that would otherwise require two separate rows. The single-row four-point contact ball slewing bearing consists of two seat rings, offering a compact structure and light weight. The four-point contact between the steel ball and the arc raceway allows the bearing to bear axial force, radial force, and tilting moment at the same time. This is achieved because the Gothic arch raceway profile creates a precise contact geometry that distributes loads efficiently across the bearing.
Key Features of Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearings
The four point contact ball slewing bearing offers a range of distinctive engineering features:
- Single-row compact design: Consists of only two seat rings (inner and outer), providing a compact structure with light weight
- Four-point contact geometry: Steel balls contact the arc raceway at four points, enabling combined load handling (axial, radial, and tilting moment simultaneously)
- Multiple gear options: Available as no gear, internal gear, or external gear to suit various drive configurations
- Flexible ring structure: Choice between integral rings (higher rigidity) and split rings (easier adjustment)
- Cage or full-ball options: Caged designs for standard applications; full-ball designs for higher load capacity with the trade-off of increased friction
- High static load capacity: Engineered to withstand demanding static and dynamic conditions
- Wide dimensional range: Outer diameter from 300 mm to 10,000 mm, ball diameter from 30 mm to 75 mm
- High load rating: Rated load from 129 kN to 3,410 kN
- Fast delivery: Standard lead time of 10–30 days for custom orders
LDB specific features:
- Materials: 42CrMo and 50Mn high-grade steel
- Seal type: Nitrile rubber for effective contamination protection
- Hardness: Normalizing hardness 187-241 HB, quenched and tempered hardness 229-269 HB, raceway quenching hardness HRC 55-62
- Inner diameter range: 100 mm to 8,000 mm
- Warranty: 12 months
Main Types of Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearings
Four point contact ball slewing bearings can be classified based on three main criteria: gear configuration, ring structure, and ball arrangement.
1. By gear configuration:
- No gear (plain): For applications where the drive system does not require gear engagement
- Internal gear: Gear teeth cut on the inner ring, suitable for compact drive designs where space is limited
- External gear: Gear teeth cut on the outer ring, commonly used in excavators, cranes, and turntables
2. By ring structure:
- Integral ring design: Higher rigidity, suitable for heavy-duty applications requiring maximum structural integrity
- Split ring design: Allows for easier adjustment and maintenance; bolts connect the two split rings before the product leaves the factory
3. By ball arrangement:
- Caged design: Standard configuration with spacers or cages to reduce friction and prevent ball-to-ball contact
- Full-ball design: No cage or spacer, providing higher load capacity but increased frictional resistance; friction can also easily cause scratches on the surface layer of the steel ball
Core Advantages of Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearings
The four point contact ball slewing bearing offers several distinct advantages over other slewing bearing types:
- Combined load capability: Can simultaneously bear axial force, radial force, and tilting moment within a single row, eliminating the need for multiple bearing arrangements
- Compact and lightweight: The single-row two-seat-ring design saves space and reduces overall machine weight, making it ideal for mobile equipment
- Bidirectional axial load support: Handles thrust loads from both directions without additional raceways or bearings
- High static load capacity: Suitable for applications with heavy shock loads and intermittent rotation patterns common in construction machinery
- Design flexibility: Customizable gear type (no gear, internal gear, external gear), ring structure (integral or split), and ball arrangement (caged or full-ball) to meet specific requirements
- Long service life: Optimized sealing and lubrication options extend operational life, especially in harsh environments
- Cost-effective: Lower manufacturing and maintenance costs compared to double-row or cross-roller alternatives
- Fast customization: 10–30 day delivery for custom orders enables rapid project execution
LDB product advantages:
- This series of slewing ring is suitable for main engines requiring large axial load, high overturning moment, long service life, and continuous operation
- Sealing structure and internal fixator can be optimized based on the specific working environment requirements
- Both standard and non-standard models available – non-standard models designed and manufactured to customer requirements
- Complete sets available without gears, with external gears, with internal gears, or individual ring gears
- Secure packaging: metal bracket or export-standard fumigation-free wooden box
Common Applications of Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearings
Four point contact ball slewing bearings are widely used across various industries, particularly in construction machinery. Based on LDB’s application scope, common applications include:
Construction and heavy machinery:
- Rotary conveyors
- Welding robots and manipulators
- Small and medium cranes
- Excavators (turntable applications)
- Aerial work platforms
Other industrial applications:
- Solar tracking systems
- Wind turbine yaw and pitch systems
- Industrial turntables and indexing tables
- Medical imaging equipment (CT scanners)
- Material handling equipment
- Radar and antenna rotators
- Packaging machinery
The four point contact ball slewing bearing is especially suitable for applications that demand high axial load capacity, resistance to overturning moment, and continuous operation with extended service life. The single-row four-point contact ball slewing bearing is particularly well-suited for main engines with large axial load, high overturning moment, high service life requirements, and continuous operation.
How to Select the Right Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearing?
Selecting the correct four point contact ball slewing bearing for your application requires careful consideration of the following factors:
| Selection Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Load requirements | Calculate axial load, radial load, and tilting moment (kN·m). LDB’s rated load range is 129–3,410 kN. |
| Dimensional constraints | Verify outer diameter (300–10,000 mm), inner diameter (100–8,000 mm), and ball diameter (30–75 mm) fit your mounting space. |
| Gear configuration | Choose no gear, internal gear, or external gear based on your drive system design. |
| Ring structure | Select integral ring for higher rigidity or split ring for easier adjustment. |
| Ball arrangement | Choose caged design for standard applications with lower friction, or full-ball design for higher load capacity (note: full-ball design has higher friction and may cause scratches on steel ball surface). |
| Operating environment | Consider temperature, dust, moisture, and chemical exposure. LDB uses nitrile rubber seals as standard, with customization available for special environments. |
| Material and hardness | LDB offers 42CrMo and 50Mn materials with raceway quenching hardness HRC 55-62 for optimal wear resistance. |
| Precision requirements | Specify required tolerances for your application. |
| Delivery schedule | LDB standard lead time is 10–30 days for custom orders. |
| Warranty | LDB offers 12 months warranty on all slewing bearings. |
Additional selection tips:
- For large axial loads and overturning moments with continuous operation, the single-row four-point contact ball slewing bearing is highly recommended
- LDB can optimize sealing structure and internal fixator design based on your specific working environment
- Both standard and non-standard models are available – contact LDB for non-standard requirements
- Consider the total cost of ownership, including maintenance intervals and expected service life
LDB – Custom Four Point Contact Ball Slewing Bearings Manufacturer
LDB (Luoyang Longda) is a professional enterprise specializing in the production and sales of slewing bearings (slewing rings), slewing drives, and gear transmission devices. As a reliable supplier of high-performance rotary components, LDB serves industries ranging from construction machinery to renewable energy.
LDB four point contact ball slewing bearing specifications:
| Parameter | LDB Range / Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | LDB (Luoyang Longda) |
| Outer diameter | 300 mm – 10,000 mm |
| Inner diameter | 100 mm – 8,000 mm |
| Ball diameter | 30 mm – 75 mm |
| Rated load | 129 kN – 3,410 kN |
| Gear type | No gear, internal gear, external gear |
| Delivery lead time | 10 – 30 days |
| Material | 42CrMo, 50Mn |
| Seal type | Nitrile rubber |
| Rolling element | Steel ball |
| Normalizing hardness | 187 HB – 241 HB |
| Quenched and tempered hardness | 229 HB – 269 HB |
| Raceway quenching hardness | HRC 55 – 62 |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Packaging | Metal bracket or export standard fumigation-free wooden box |
LDB product advantages:
- Superior design: The single-row four-point contact ball slewing bearing is suitable for main engines requiring large axial load, high overturning moment, long service life, and continuous operation.
- Customizable engineering: According to the requirements of the supporting working environment, LDB can optimize the design of the sealing structure and the internal fixator.
- Flexible manufacturing: LDB maintains commonly used standard models, and non-standard models can be designed and manufactured according to customer requirements.
- Complete solutions: LDB provides complete sets of slewing bearings without gears, with external gears, with internal gears, or individual ring gears according to customer requirements.
- Secure packaging: All products are shipped in metal brackets or export-standard fumigation-free wooden boxes to ensure safe delivery.
Why choose LDB?
- Experience: Years of expertise in slewing bearing design and manufacturing
- Quality: High-grade materials (42CrMo, 50Mn) with precision heat treatment and raceway hardening to HRC 55-62
- Customization: Full engineering support for non-standard models
- Speed: 10-30 day delivery for custom orders
- Warranty: 12 months on all products
- Global shipping: Reliable logistics network supporting delivery worldwide
Whether you need a four point contact ball slewing bearing for an excavator turntable, a crane, a welding robot, a rotary conveyor, or any other rotary application, LDB delivers custom-engineered solutions with fast lead times and dependable quality.
Contact LDB today to discuss your specific four point contact ball slewing bearing requirements．