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There are no rolling elements in an SKF spherical plain bearing. The inner ring has a spherical outer surface that slides inside the outer ring. These bearings are built for oscillating and tilting motion under high loads at low speed, not for continuous rotation. The line covers loose spherical plain bearings as well as rod ends, where the bearing sits inside a threaded body.
View all SKF bearings part numbers →SKF buyer's guide →Spherical plain bearings and rod ends, all brands →SKF deep groove ball bearings →SKF cylindrical roller bearings →
GE 20 ES is a radial spherical plain bearing. GE is the series, 20 is the bore in millimeters and ES is the version. GE 20 ES-2RS is the same bearing with one more block in the code, which makes it a separate part number. The GEZ series, for example GEZ 012 ES, is made in inch sizes, so its number does not stand for millimeters.
Rod end designations start with S. Between SIKAC 10 M and SAKAC 10 M only the second letter changes, and that letter separates a female thread from a male one; the number is again the bearing bore. An L in the prefix means a left-hand thread. Order a rod end by the full designation of the body, not by the bearing inside it.
Choosing one starts with how the joint moves: the oscillation angle, the tilt, and whether the load stays in one direction or reverses. On a hydraulic cylinder, a steering arm or a linkage, those conditions can be different at each end of the same machine.
Some designs need relubrication and others are maintenance-free, and you should not swap one for the other without looking at the application. Note whether the bearing you removed had a grease fitting or lubrication grooves. On rod ends, measure the thread and check its hand; an adjusting rod usually has one right-hand end and one left-hand end.
Send the full designation and the quantity. If there is no code, measure the bore, the outside diameter and both widths, inner ring and outer ring, since they are not the same on a spherical plain bearing. For a rod end, add the thread diameter and pitch, female or male, and right or left hand. Tell us what equipment it is on and whether the joint is greased. A photo from the side shows the seals and the body style.
The main dimensions are the same, but each one is its own part number. Stick with the one installed on the equipment.
No. It is designed for oscillation and tilting at low speed, not for turning like a rolling bearing.
Check the prefix for an L. If you cannot read it, test the thread on the nut or the rod before ordering.
Can't find the exact model? Tell us the part number or model you need. We'll track it down and quote it, whether or not it appears in our catalog.
When a machine joint needs to pivot or tilt rather than spin continuously, a spherical plain bearing does the job. It consists of an inner ring with a spherical outside surface that slides against the outer ring, allowing angular misalignment and oscillating motion without rolling elements.
Example part numbers:GE 15 ES-2RSGE 17 ES-2RSGE 20 ES-2RSGE 25 ES-2RSGE 30 ES-2RS
SKF GE..ES series rod ends and spherical bearings are radial spherical plain bearings designed to accommodate oscillating motion and misalignment between shafts. They handle combined radial and axial loads in applications with slow rotation or reciprocating movement, making them a common choice for agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and steering systems.
Example part numbers:GE 15 ESGE 16 ESGE 17 ESGE 20 ESGE 25 ES
For pivoting joints that need angular freedom and protection from dust, the SKF GEZ … ES line of radial spherical plain bearings is a common choice. These bearings handle combined loads while allowing oscillation and self-alignment. MR Industrial Accessories LLC supplies them to maintenance and purchasing teams across the United States and Latin America.
Example part numbers:GEZ 008 ESGEZ 010 ESGEZ 012 ESGEZ 014 ESGEZ 100 ES
The manufacturer part number is all we need: we'll quote it and share dimensions and equivalents via WhatsApp or email.
