The Timken Company, a world leader in engineered bearings and power transmission products through its growing portfolio of brands, has machine components for every area of the food process floor, including a wide selection of corrosion-resistant, greaseless, washdown-resistant and extreme-temperature bearings designed to cope with the conditions that cause many bearings to fail prematurely.

Most processing and packaging equipment for meat and poultry requires bearings that can stand up to severe cleaning and sanitation day after day. That’s why Timken Corrosion-Resistant Mounted Ball and Poly-Round bearings are built for predictable performance, optimal reliability and with hygienic design principles in mind.

“All manufacturers know the potential impact of a food contamination, whether foreign parts, lubrication or bacterial outbreak. But less understood is the impact even one faulty bearing can have on operations,” says Michael Connors, vice president of global marketing for Timken. “Timken designs bearings for applications where leakage, flaking and corrosion cannot be tolerated at all. If bearing rust or re-greasing is concerning you, talk to us about options to take those worries away.” 

Bearings for all stages of food and beverage processing
Timken bearings for food and beverage processing equipment typically cost less to own than original bearings due to longer service life and less maintenance. A full portfolio of stainless steel, solid lubricated, polymer and metal-detectable bearings is available, including housed units for meeting different requirements from the beginning to the end of the plant. Among other engineered solutions, customers will find: 

• The Industry’s Most Versatile Bearing: Timken Poly-Round plain bearings have no balls, no cage and no seals, and are the only available bearings with USDA design acceptance. They operate without grease or oil and are well suited for where ball bearings are hard to maintain. Most configurations are directly interchangeable with industry standard bearings.
• Bearings That Never Need Re-Greasing: Timken Solid Lube is a micro-porous polymer structure combined with high performance oil that entirely fills the free volume in the bearing. During rotation, oil is continually released to lubricate the bearing surfaces, helping food-makers reduce maintenance demands and improve food safety.
• Mounted Units That Survive Harsh Environments: Timken Food Safe mounted ball bearing (housed units) use a stainless steel insert to withstand aggressive washdown, providing the highest possible corrosion resistance to extend bearing life and maximize equipment output. All units feature NSF H1 registered lubricant that complies with FDA requirements.
• Hygienic Design Housings: Timken Blue Polymer and Machined Stainless Steel Housings have a smooth surface and a sleek construction that makes wash-down easier and more effective and the blue color improves detectability. Those housings have USDA design acceptance.

More ways to keep plants moving
In addition to bearings, Timken offers motion control solutions through Cone Drive, a leader in improving the performance of precision drives in many diverse markets, including the food and beverage industry. Roller and attachment chains that excel in tough conditions are available from Timken Drives. Throughout our customers’ plants, Timken can create new efficiencies with superior power transmission solutions that eliminate maintenance cycles, prevent corrosion and contamination, and provide the peace of mind all facility managers are looking for.

Bearings shouldn’t keep you up at night or cause equipment to go down for days at a time. Learn more about bearings for food and beverage processing and meet with Timken experts at the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in booth #B7817 to discuss stronger power transmission solutions or visit www.Timken.com/Food to learn more.