Innovative bearing for washdown-duty environments

  • Innovative bearing for washdown-duty environments
    Innovative bearing for washdown-duty environments

The Dodge Ultra-Kleen mounted ball bearings employ a 100% stainless steel bearing insert and feature a patented sealing system and a ball retainer that retain lubrication and prevent washout in harsh wet operating environments such as food and beverage processing.

The sealing system, QuadGuard, consists of two patented features: a triple lip seal and a rubberised flinger. The triple lip seal offers three points of contact, keeping the lubricant in and contaminants out, maximising sealing with a minimal amount of drag. The rubberised flinger is a moulded nitrile rubber component that is bonded to the flinger surface and provides an additional barrier to contaminants.

A two-piece ball retaining cage, Maxlife, creates a grease compartment around each of the rolling elements. The compartments provide constant contact between ball and grease to prevent wear, and minimise friction and heat. The compartmental construction holds in the grease and prevents it from being washed out.

A 65-degree spacing of the setscrews provides high locking force without compromising the strength of the inner ring, while a stainless anti-rotation pin prevents the insert from rotating in the housing. The stainless housing is made of 300 grade steel. Polymer housed versions have an added antimicrobial agent that retards bacteria and fungus growth. Both housing styles contain all-stainless hardware and fittings, as well as stainless steel inserts. All versions feature a solid, flat base that has no cavities or areas that can provide a site for bacterial growth.

For additional protection, the housings are machined with a groove to accept a snap-on polymer end cover to cover exposed, rotating shafts and create safer working conditions. These covers incorporate a drain hole to prevent moisture build-up. The range is available in a broad range of imperial sizes plus metric sizes from 20 to 50mm.