Company Announcement - SKF reinforces the SKF BeyondZero portfolio with a virtually maintenance-free steel bearing. Committed to supplying products, services and solutions that deliver significant environmental benefits, SKF initiated the BeyondZero concept. Products and equipment that form part of the BeyondZero portfolio offer enhanced environmental performance characteristics.

The tribological system, which includes special surface treatments, grease and seals, combined with the internal geometry of the bearing contribute to the robustness and energy efficiency of these bearings. SKF Extended Life plain bearings are phosphated and undergo treatment to practically eliminate corrosion and reduce wear. Afterwards, the bearings are greased and sealed.

SKF Extended Life spherical plain bearings help reduce the cost of ownership and reduce environmental impact as they last longer and do not require re-lubrication. For example, a single bearing with a 100 mm bore can save up to 876 g of grease per year. A tractor with six bearings of this type and size can save up to 5.2 kg of grease per year. This translates to impressive savings of 7.7 kg of CO2e per year. The calculations are based on grease savings and do not include the 37% reduction in frictional losses.

SKF Extended Life plain bearings are equipped with heavy-duty triple lip seals which are the key to reducing total cost of ownership. These seals virtually eliminate the ingress of contaminants and the resulting poor lubrication condition that causes premature bearing failure.

SKF Extended Life plain bearings fill the gap between standard steel/steel plain bearings and maintenance-free SKF TX-plain bearings. Prior to the development of the SKF Extended Life plain bearings, steel/steel spherical plain bearings have required re-lubrication as part of a regularly scheduled maintenance program. SKF Extended Life spherical plain bearings and rod ends are aimed primarily at applications in the agriculture, forestry and construction sectors.