311-ZZ bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The 311-ZZ is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 55 x 120 x 29 mm (bore x OD x width) with ZZ sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 120 mm d = 55 B = 29 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 55 mm, outer diameter D 120 mm, width B 29 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 55 mm
Outer diameter D 120 mm
Width B 29 mm
Material GCr15
Seal / shield ZZ
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage steel, stamped ribbon (J-type)
Basic dynamic load rating C 79.2 kN
Basic static load rating C0 67 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 2.85 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 10000 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 5000 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 1500 g
Manufacturer designation 311-2Z
Standard ISO 15
Catalog version SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)
Last verified 2026-09-27

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-27

Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.

Dimensions in inches & 300-series range

Bore d 2.165 in
Outer diameter D 4.724 in
Width B 1.142 in
ISO bore code 11
Radial section height (D−d)/2 32.5 mm
Smallest bore in 300-series 25 mm
Largest outer diameter in 300-series 190 mm
Width range across 300-series 17–43 mm
Bore position in 300-series (smallest first) 7 of 14
Bore above smallest 300-series size 30 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
6311-RSR NSK partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
NSK bearing NSK 6311VV on the same 55×120×29 mm envelope, but catalogue C/C0 differ (79.2/67 kN vs 78.5/44.5 kN) — envelope interchange only after a load check.
6311-M SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
Same 55×120×29 mm envelope as SKF 6311 M, but catalogue C/C0 differ (79.2/67 kN vs 74.1/45 kN) — envelope match only after a load check.
311 SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same 55×120×29 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; 311 is the open arrangement execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs.
6311 SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6311 shares the 55×120×29 mm envelope but catalogue C/C0 differ (79.2/67 kN vs 74.1/45 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent.
6311-ZZ SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6311-2Z shares the 55×120×29 mm envelope but catalogue C/C0 differ (79.2/67 kN vs 74.1/45 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent.
6311-2RS SKF partial
Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ.
SKF SKF 6311-2RSH shares the 55×120×29 mm envelope but catalogue C/C0 differ (79.2/67 kN vs 74.1/45 kN) — envelope match, not a load-rating equivalent.

Interchange levels: full standard interchange · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.

How the 311-ZZ model number is decoded

311-2Z is a filling-slot (notched-ring) deep-groove bearing in the legacy 300-series: the last two digits encode the bore: 311 carries code 11 = 55 mm (code × 5). The rings carry loading slots that allow extra balls during assembly, which is what gives the 55×120×29 mm envelope its C 79.2 kN and C0 67 kN ratings (Pu 2.85 kN). SKF spells the double shield 311-2Z (suffix 2Z); the shields are non-contact, retain grease and block coarse debris but are not liquid-tight. Limiting speed 5000 r/min, mass 1500 g. These bearings are built for high purely-radial loads at moderate speeds.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Common applications

  • slow heavy gearboxes
  • farm machinery and harvesters
  • construction equipment drives
  • hoists and winch gear trains

Known failure patterns

  • spalling of the filling-slot edge when balls are hammered through the slot under heavy thrust loading
  • dirt entering through the open slot area when external sealing is neglected
  • raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
  • electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without shaft grounding

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • Limiting speed is just 5000 r/min: filling-slot cages and the slot geometry run cooler below that — overspeed drives cage wear and smearing.
  • Filling slots let more balls be packed into the 55×120 mm envelope, which is why 311-ZZ reaches C 79.2 kN — but the slots also mean the two rings separate when the balls align with them, so handle it as a loose-clearance design.
  • The slots sit at one angular position: on 311-ZZ, never pass the full radial load across the slot zone during mounting or the ring lip can crack.
  • 311 uses the legacy SKF 200/300 numbering (light/heavy filling-slot series), not the modern 6200/6300 spelling; quote 311-2Z exactly when ordering replacements.
  • Filling-slot bearings take heavy purely-radial load at moderate speed but little thrust; the 79.2/67 kN ratings assume radial loading — use deep-groove 6xxx where axial load matters.
  • Mount by heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) — driving 311-ZZ home through the outer ring or balls brinells the raceways.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of 311-ZZ?

Filling-slot bearing 311-2Z measures 55×120×29 mm (2.165×4.724×1.142 in), about 1500 g.

What does the designation 311 mean?

It is the legacy 200/300 filling-slot numbering: series 300 and bore code 11 = 55 mm. Filling-slot bearings predate the 6xxx deep-groove spelling.

Can 311-ZZ take axial load?

Very little: the filling slots interrupt the raceway shoulders, so thrust towards the open slot side can unload or jam the balls. Use a standard deep-groove 6xxx bearing for combined loads.

Why use an old 300-series bearing instead of a 62xx?

For slow, heavy, purely-radial duty the extra balls give more capacity in the same bore, and the separable rings simplify assembly in blind housings; at high speed modern designs run better.

Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.