SKF (www.skf.com) announce the release of its unique “Three-Barrier Solution” for conveyor applications that are exposed to extreme harsh conditions.

Eliminating the need for solid lubricants, large quantities of grease and auxiliary seals, the all-new “Three-Barrier Solution” features a vast array of environmentally friendly products specifically developed to extend service life and optimize bearing reliability. This makes the solution ideally suited for operations in the steel, cement and aggregates, mining, forestry as well as pulp and paper industries.

In addition, the company’s conveyor solution comprises four interrelated components — optimized split pillow block housing, upgraded and factory-sealed SKF Explorer performance class spherical roller bearings, PosiTrac Plus type seals for the housing as well as 60 percent to 80 percent grease fill inside the housing.

The bearing is greased and sealed internally after it has been lubricated, sealed and mounted inside its housing. This process effectively provides the bearing with three layers or barriers of protection during operation. The integral bearing seals help keep the lubricants in and the contaminants out of the bearing cavity and the housing’s PosiTrac Plus seals eliminate the need for costly auxiliary seals such as taconite while protecting it against extremely fine contaminants. The protection is then completed by the grease applied into the housing on both sides of the sealed bearing.