6000 Series Bearings

The versatile backbone of modern industry

The perfect balance of performance, economy, and reliability. These bearings are the backbone of modern industry, providing dependable service in countless applications from automotive systems to industrial machinery.

10-100mm
Bore Range
4,800
Max RPM
21
Models
64.5kN
Max Load
Deep Groove Ball Bearing - RHD Bearings

RHD PERFORMANCE GRADES

Engineered for industrial excellence & multi-application solutions

1,440 RPM

RHD V2

6000 Series Bearings

Heavy-duty industrial workhorse for standard applications. Reliable performance across automotive, manufacturing, and general industrial equipment.

Industrial Automotive Manufacturing

Industrial Motor Excellence

RHD's V3 Ultra and V4 Max 6000 series bearings are specifically engineered for the demanding industrial motor industry. Our advanced manufacturing processes and precision-grade materials deliver exceptional performance in medium to high-speed, moderate to heavy-load applications. From industrial pumps and compressors to precision machine tools, RHD bearings provide the reliability and durability that equipment manufacturers trust. With our V3 and V4 grades representing our primary offering in the industrial motor segment, we've invested heavily in optimizing these bearings for maximum performance, extended service life, and consistent quality that meets the rigorous demands of continuous industrial operations and critical manufacturing processes.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Comprehensive engineering data for industrial applications

Specification Range Standard
Bore Diameter 10mm - 100mm ISO 15:2011
Outer Diameter 26mm - 150mm ISO 15:2011
Width 8mm - 24mm ISO 15:2011
Load Capacity 4.58kN - 64.5kN ISO 281:2007
Speed Range 3,800 - 30,000 RPM Oil lubrication
Temperature Range -30°C to +120°C Standard materials

PRODUCT MODELS

Complete range of 6000 series bearings for every application

APPLICATIONS

Versatile performance across industries

Automotive & Transportation

  • Alternator and generator bearings
  • Water pump assemblies
  • HVAC blower motors
  • Power steering pumps
  • Transmission components
  • Engine cooling fan motors
  • Windshield wiper motors
  • Fuel pump motors
  • ABS system components
  • Electric vehicle motor bearings

Key Requirements: Reliability, temperature resistance, moderate loads

Industrial Manufacturing

  • Electric motor bearings (1-50 HP)
  • Conveyor system rollers
  • Industrial fans and blowers
  • Pump assemblies
  • Compressor applications
  • Machine tool spindles
  • Packaging machinery
  • Textile spinning equipment
  • Food processing equipment
  • Chemical processing pumps

Key Requirements: Durability, multiple shift operation, easy maintenance

Home Appliances

  • Washing machine motors
  • Dryer drum assemblies
  • Dishwasher pumps
  • Refrigerator compressors
  • Air conditioner fans
  • Vacuum cleaner motors
  • Kitchen appliance motors
  • Garage door openers
  • Pool pump motors
  • Lawn mower engines

Key Requirements: Quiet operation, long life, cost effectiveness

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Expert guidance for 6000 series bearing applications

🔧 Bearing Selection & Replacement

How do I know if a 6000 series bearing is right for my motor application?

Check bore size, load capacity, and speed requirements. 6000 series works for most general-purpose motors up to 50 HP with moderate loads and standard speeds.
Why This Matters
Motor bearings see constant duty cycles, temperature variations, and potential electrical current damage. Using the wrong series can lead to premature failure, costly downtime, and motor damage. 6000 series offers the best balance of performance and cost for general industrial applications but has limits in heavy-duty situations.
How To Handle It
Match bore to shaft diameter exactly. Calculate actual loads including belt tensions, misalignment factors. For motor applications: specify sealed bearings (2RS) for contaminated environments, check speed against catalog limits, consider C3 clearance for high temperatures. Upgrade to 6200 series if loads exceed 6000 series capacity by >25%.
Most motor bearing failures come from electrical damage - use insulated bearings or shaft grounding for VFD-driven motors.

Can I replace a 6000 series bearing with a 6200 series for better performance?

Usually yes, if space allows. 6200 series has higher load capacity but requires more radial space (larger outer diameter and width).
Why This Matters
6200 series bearings offer 25-40% higher load capacity than equivalent 6000 series, providing better reliability in demanding applications. However, they're physically larger and more expensive. The upgrade makes sense for applications experiencing premature bearing failures or operating near load limits.
How To Handle It
Check housing dimensions: 6200 series has larger OD and width. Verify adequate clearance in all directions. Calculate cost-benefit: 6200 series costs 15-25% more but often doubles bearing life in heavy-duty applications. Consider the upgrade for: frequent bearing failures, heavy shock loads, continuous operation, or when downtime costs are high.
6200 series upgrade often pays for itself in reduced maintenance costs and increased equipment reliability.

What's the difference between open, shielded, and sealed 6000 series bearings?

Open bearings run fastest and coolest but need clean environments. Shields (Z/ZZ) provide some protection with less friction than seals (RS/2RS) which offer maximum protection.
Why This Matters
Sealing choice affects bearing life, speed capability, and maintenance requirements. Wrong choice leads to either contamination damage (inadequate sealing) or overheating (excessive sealing friction). Industrial environments often require sealed bearings despite the performance penalty.
How To Handle It
Choose open for: high-speed applications, clean environments, frequent maintenance schedules. Choose shields (Z/ZZ) for: moderate contamination, balanced performance. Choose seals (RS/2RS) for: dirty environments, wash-down applications, maintenance-free operation. Consider contact vs non-contact seals based on speed requirements.
For most industrial motors, sealed bearings (2RS) are worth the 10-15% speed reduction for contamination protection.
🔨 Installation & Maintenance

Why do my 6000 series bearings fail early in motor applications?

Most failures come from electrical current damage (VFD motors), contamination, improper installation, or exceeding temperature limits. Focus on grounding and cleanliness.
Why This Matters
Motor bearings operate continuously under varying loads, temperatures, and electrical conditions. VFD-driven motors create electrical currents that can damage bearings through electrical discharge machining (EDM). Contamination from industrial environments, improper installation techniques, and thermal stress from motor heat all contribute to premature failures that cost thousands in downtime.
How To Handle It
For VFD motors: Install shaft grounding brushes or insulated bearings. Installation: Use proper bearing pullers, press on correct ring, maintain cleanliness. Contamination: Specify sealed bearings (2RS) for dirty environments. Temperature: Monitor bearing temperature, use C3 clearance for hot applications. Check motor alignment and belt tension regularly.
Most motor bearing problems are electrical - if you see frosted or pitted raceways, that's EDM damage from electrical current.

What's the proper installation procedure for 6000 series bearings in motors?

Use bearing pullers or presses, never hammer directly. Press on inner ring when installing on shaft, outer ring when installing in housing. Keep everything clean.
Why This Matters
Motor bearings must fit precisely to handle continuous operation and prevent electrical current passage. Improper installation creates play, misalignment, or damage that leads to rapid failure. Installation damage often doesn't appear until weeks later when the bearing fails catastrophically during operation.
How To Handle It
Tools: Use proper bearing pullers sized for your bearing. Clean everything first. Technique: Press evenly and slowly, stop if resistance increases suddenly. Never strike bearings with hammers. Check shaft and housing dimensions before installation. Apply light oil film to prevent galling. Test fit manually before final pressing.
If a bearing doesn't go in easily, stop and check - forcing damaged bearings causes expensive motor repairs.

How often should I re-lubricate 6000 series bearings in industrial equipment?

Depends on sealing: sealed bearings (2RS) are lubricated for life. Open bearings need re-lubrication every 6-12 months or 2,000-4,000 operating hours.
Why This Matters
Industrial equipment often runs continuously in harsh conditions. Under-lubrication causes bearing seizure, over-lubrication causes overheating and seal damage. Different applications have very different lubrication needs - a fan motor needs different service than a conveyor drive.
How To Handle It
Sealed bearings: Replace when they fail, no maintenance needed. Open bearings: Use high-quality grease compatible with existing lubricant. Apply small amounts through grease fittings while running to purge old grease. Monitor bearing temperature during re-lubrication. Increase frequency in dusty or high-temperature environments.
More grease isn't better - over-lubrication causes more bearing failures than under-lubrication in most industrial applications.
🔍 Troubleshooting & Problem Solving

My 6000 series bearing is making noise - how do I diagnose the problem?

Listen to the type of noise: grinding means bearing damage (replace immediately), squealing indicates lubrication issues, and clicking suggests contamination or wear.
Why This Matters
Bearing noise in industrial equipment often signals impending failure that can damage expensive motors, pumps, or machinery. Different noise types indicate different problems requiring different solutions. Ignoring bearing noise typically leads to catastrophic failure and much higher repair costs.
How To Handle It
Stop equipment for safety. Listen carefully: constant grinding = bearing damage (replace now), intermittent squealing = lubrication problem (re-lubricate), clicking/popping = contamination (clean and inspect), irregular noise = wear or damage (investigate further). Check for heat, vibration, and play. Document noise patterns to identify root causes.
Trust your ears - bearing noise usually appears weeks before visible damage, giving you time to plan replacement during scheduled downtime.

How do I identify what's causing repeated bearing failures in the same application?

Look for patterns: electrical damage (VFD motors), contamination (dirty environments), overloading (wrong bearing size), or installation problems (damaged during assembly).
Why This Matters
Repeated failures in the same location indicate systematic problems that won't be solved by just replacing bearings. Understanding root causes prevents future failures and can reveal design or operational issues that affect other equipment. Pattern recognition saves money and downtime.
How To Handle It
Document failure history: how long each bearing lasted, operating conditions, failure appearance. Common patterns: EDM damage from electrical current, contamination marks from poor sealing, overload wear from undersized bearings, installation damage from poor procedures. Address root cause, not just symptoms.
Take photos of failed bearings - damage patterns tell the story of what went wrong and prevent repeat failures.

What causes 6000 series bearings to overheat in motor applications?

Common causes include over-lubrication, tight fits, electrical current damage, contamination, or exceeding speed limits. Check lubrication and electrical grounding first.
Why This Matters
Overheating accelerates bearing wear, breaks down lubricants, damages seals, and can cause bearing seizure. In motors, hot bearings often indicate electrical problems that can damage windings and other components. Heat also causes thermal expansion that affects fits and clearances.
How To Handle It
Immediate actions: Check bearing temperature (should be warm, not hot to touch). Investigate: over-lubrication (reduce grease), electrical current (install grounding), contamination (improve sealing), tight fits (check shaft/housing dimensions), high ambient temperature (improve cooling). Monitor temperature during operation.
If a bearing is too hot to touch comfortably (>60°C), investigate immediately - it's likely to fail soon.
💰 Cost & Performance Optimization

Is it worth upgrading to premium 6000 series bearings for standard industrial applications?

For critical applications with high downtime costs, yes. For standard applications where maintenance access is easy, standard bearings are usually adequate.
Why This Matters
Premium bearings cost 2-3× more but typically last 2-5× longer in demanding applications. The decision depends on downtime costs, maintenance access, and criticality. In some applications, the premium pays for itself quickly; in others, it's wasteful spending.
How To Handle It
Use premium bearings for: 24/7 operations, difficult maintenance access, critical equipment where failure is expensive. Calculate total cost: bearing price + installation cost + downtime cost. Standard bearings work fine for: easily accessible equipment, backup systems, non-critical applications with low downtime costs.
Premium bearings make sense when bearing cost is <10% of failure cost - focus spending on your most critical applications.

How can I extend 6000 series bearing life to reduce maintenance costs?

Focus on the big three: keep them clean (contamination control), keep them cool (proper lubrication), and protect from electrical damage (VFD grounding).
Why This Matters
Small improvements in bearing life have huge impacts on maintenance costs and equipment reliability. Most industrial bearing failures are preventable through better contamination control, lubrication practices, and electrical protection. Extending bearing life from 2 years to 4 years cuts maintenance costs in half.
How To Handle It
Contamination: Use sealed bearings, improve filtration, maintain clean work areas. Lubrication: Use proper amounts of quality grease, monitor temperatures, establish re-lubrication schedules. Electrical: Install shaft grounding on VFD motors, use insulated bearings where needed. Alignment: Check and correct shaft alignment regularly.
Most bearing life improvements come from preventing contamination - invest in better sealing and cleaner maintenance practices.

When does it make sense to upgrade from 6000 to 6200 series bearings?

When you're experiencing frequent failures, operating near load limits, or need better reliability in critical applications. The 25-40% load increase often justifies the cost.
Why This Matters
6200 series bearings offer significantly higher load capacity and better durability but cost more and require more space. The upgrade makes sense when bearing failures are limiting equipment reliability or when operating conditions exceed 6000 series capabilities.
How To Handle It
Consider upgrade for: frequent bearing failures, shock loading, continuous operation, critical applications. Check space requirements: 6200 series has larger OD and width. Calculate payback: if 6200 series doubles bearing life and costs 25% more, it pays for itself quickly. Don't upgrade unnecessarily in light-duty applications.
6200 series upgrade often eliminates bearing problems completely in marginal applications - it's usually worth the investment.
BEARINGS