POLYMER technology is increasingly being used in heavy lifting equipment and other industrial machinery where it is replacing steel bearings for strength and durability in a growing range of demanding applications, according to igus.
The world leading polymer bearing manufacturer produces a wide range of polymer bearings that do not require external lubrication and are resistant to corrosion. The company says this makes its polymer bearings ideal for environments where dirt, moisture or abrasive particles can quickly destroy traditional bearings. Manufactured from advanced tribologically-optimised polymers they deliver minimal wear and a long service life even under high loads in applications like lifting.
“In South Africa we found that one of the key advantages of polymer bearings in heavy lifting equipment is their ability to operate reliably in “dirty” conditions such as timber processing, construction and mining. Sawdust, sand or grit that might cause steel bearings to seize or wear prematurely have little effect on polymer surfaces. This ensures consistent reduced downtime and significantly lower maintenance costs,” says igus product manager, Juan-Eric Davidtz.
He adds that the versatility of polymer bearings extends across industries. They combine strength with lightweight design, resist chemicals, dampen vibration and can be tailored for specific load or temperature ranges. Importantly, they last longer than steel bearings in many real-world applications where lubrication is inconsistent or where contaminants are present.
The company suggests the following lifting applications where polymer bearings replace steel for longer life:
- In scissor lifts, where pivot points and joints handle high loads and repeated cycles.
- In forklifts, where steering, mast and lift linkages operate in especially dusty or wet conditions.
- In boom lifts and cherry pickers where articulating joints carry heavy platforms safely.
- In crane booms and hoists which have corrosion-resistant, low-maintenance pivot points.
- In dock levellers where hinges and pivots are exposed to continuous movement and debris.
- In hydraulic lift tables where bushings and pins endure high compression forces.
- In mobile platform lifts where bearings ensure smooth motion in all positions.
- In warehouse stackers where heavy-duty pivot points operate in compact, high-use environments.
- In material handling trolleys where lift mechanisms resist wear from repetitive loads.
- In telehandlers and telescopic lifts where joints and pivots have long-lasting, lubrication-free operation.
“The adoption of polymer bearings in lifting equipment is all about educating engineers and service technicians who are used to using steel bearings and lubrications and are not yet aware of the higher performance abilities of our modern-day polymers. These are often much more durable and efficient and, in some cases, a simple switch to polymer bearings can save companies hundreds of thousands of Rands in maintenance savings. Wherever we work with companies to find solutions for their lifting equipment challenges we have our customer’s designers and operators comment that the machines operate more reliably and require less maintenance in tough industrial environments,” concludes Davidtz.
