618-500-MA bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The 618-500-MA is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 500 x 620 x 56 mm (bore x OD x width). 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 = 620 mm d = 500 B = 56 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 500 mm, outer diameter D 620 mm, width B 56 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 500 mm
Outer diameter D 620 mm
Width B 56 mm
Material GCr15
Seal / shield open
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage brass
Basic dynamic load rating C 332 kN
Basic static load rating C0 620 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 11.2 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 1800 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 1500 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 40500 g
Manufacturer designation 618/500 MA
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 & 61800-series range

Bore d 19.685 in
Outer diameter D 24.409 in
Width B 2.205 in
ISO bore code —
Radial section height (D−d)/2 60 mm
Smallest bore in 61800-series 1 mm
Largest outer diameter in 61800-series 1820 mm
Width range across 61800-series 1–140 mm
Bore position in 61800-series (smallest first) 57 of 74
Bore above smallest 61800-series size 499 mm

Cross references & equivalents

No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.

How the 618-500-MA model number is decoded

In the large-bore 61800-series, the bore is written directly after the slash as 500 mm (large thin-section bores use the slash spelling instead of the two-digit code). The envelope is 500×620×56 mm (19.685×24.409×2.205 in) with a 60.0 mm radial section height, C 332 kN, C0 620 kN and Pu 11.2 kN. The open 618/500 MA carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. The MA suffix identifies the machined brass cage execution, a separate order number from the pressed-steel version. Limiting speed 1500 r/min, catalogue mass 40500 g. A thin section saves space but leaves little margin for misalignment or shaft deflection.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Common applications

  • large industrial gearboxes
  • heavy conveyor drives
  • hoists and winches
  • industrial fans and blowers

Known failure patterns

  • contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without external seals
  • lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
  • raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
  • electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without shaft grounding

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • Catalogue ratings for 618-500-MA (C 332 kN, C0 620 kN) are SKF figures from PUB BU/P1 17000; geometry revisions can change ratings without changing the designation, so keep the catalogue edition with the specification.
  • Mount by heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) — driving 618-500-MA home through the outer ring or balls brinells the raceways.
  • The MA suffix on 618-500-MA denotes a machined brass cage: it is the choice for high speeds, marginal lubrication and shock/vibration duty, and it is temperature-tolerant where polymer cages are not — the 40500 g quoted mass includes the heavier cage.
  • Open 618-500-MA needs external sealing at the arrangement level; in dusty housings its life depends entirely on those external seals and the regreasing schedule.
  • Plan a relubrication interval for 618-500-MA; run-to-failure on open deep-groove bearings is the dominant early-failure cause.
  • Mount by heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) — driving 618-500-MA home through the outer ring or balls brinells the raceways.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of 618-500-MA?

The SKF 618/500 MA measures 500 mm bore × 620 mm OD × 56 mm width (19.685 × 24.409 × 2.205 in), mass about 40500 g. It is open, with no shields or seals.

Why is there a slash in the designation 618/500 MA?

The slash writes a bore that falls outside the two-digit code table: 618/500 means 500 mm bore. The site slug 618-500-MA replaces the slash with a hyphen.

Which fits should I use for 618-500-MA?

With a rotating inner ring use roughly m6 on the shaft and H7 in the 620 mm housing; reverse the interference if the outer ring rotates.

How heavy is 618-500-MA?

Catalogue mass is 40500 g for 618/500 MA; seal and cage executions of the same envelope differ by a few grams.

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.