61838-FAG bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020)) · extracted 2026-09-25

Parameters extracted from the official FAG Rolling Bearings catalogue (HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020)); FAG® is a trademark of Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized FAG/Schaeffler distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at schaeffler.com.

Cross references & equivalents

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 61838-FAG model number is decoded

In the 61800-series (diameter series 8 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 61838 carries bore code 38 = 190 mm. Outside diameter 240 mm and width 24 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. With no seal suffix the bearing is open: no shields or seals are fitted and lubrication is supplied by the application. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 190 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a m6 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. In the Schaeffler HR 1 catalogue this open execution carries the bare designation; protected variants are ordered separately with suffixes 2Z (steel shields), 2RZ (non-contact rubber seals) and 2RSR (lip-contact rubber seals).

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Large bores like the 190 mm of 61838-FAG demand clean, burr-free seats; one raised burr under a ring this size cocks the bearing and concentrates load at the raceway edge, cutting life drastically.
• The 618xx thin section at 190 mm bore has only a 25.0 mm radial section height: it saves space but is highly sensitive to misalignment, shaft deflection and shock loads — verify shaft stiffness before choosing it over a 6238.
• Storage matters for open bearings: 61838-FAG leaves the factory with rust preventive only, so clean it and apply the service grease at assembly even if the rings look oily from the wrapper.
• Open bearings tolerate the highest speeds in the 61800-series but need a defined regreasing interval; run-to-failure lubrication is the dominant cause of early failure in open 61838 units.
• Do not quieten a noisy bearing by preloading it: the 61800-series is a deep-groove design, not angular-contact; axial preload raises temperature and shortens grease life.
• Never mix components between two 61838-FAG units: rings, cage and balls are factory-matched and are not field-interchangeable, even between identical designations.
• The open 61838 has no integral sealing; in the Schaeffler HR 1 catalogue the protected variants carry suffixes 2Z (two steel shields), 2RZ (two non-contact rubber seals) and 2RSR (two lip-contact rubber seals). Do not confuse FAG's 2RZ with a contact seal — the RZ lip does not touch the inner ring, which is why its speed capability stays close to the open bearing.
• FAG lists the mechanical limiting speed at 3650 r/min for 61838 (thermal reference speed 2700 r/min); the thermal reference speed is the binding figure for continuous duty — size the lubrication interval off the reference speed, not the mechanical limit.
• The 190 mm bore places 61838 in Schaeffler's large-size range; at these diameters the pressed steel cage is speed-limited and FAG commonly offers a machined brass cage (suffix M) as an option. Verify cage material and relubrication provision with the distributor, and do not extrapolate small-bore speed ratings to this size.
• At 73 kN dynamic load rating (C) and 85 kN static (C0), 61838 is a heavy-load FAG bearing for industrial gearboxes and large conveyors; Schaeffler expects a machined brass cage (suffix M) at this rating for shock duty, and C0 must be checked against mounting or lifting loads.
• At 2220 g (2.2 kg), 61838 needs mechanical handling for mounting; Schaeffler recommends induction heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) rather than pressing cold, and a lifting provision if the housing is pre-assembled.
• The 190×240×24 mm envelope of 61838 gives a D/d ratio of 1.26 and only 25.0 mm radial section height — an ultra-thin section in the HR 1 range where shaft deflection and housing ovality load the ball-raceway contact directly; verify shaft stiffness (target deflection under 0.05 mm) before choosing it over a 62-series.
• The 73/85 kN load ratings, mass 2220 g here are Schaeffler HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020) catalogue figures for 61838-FAG on the 190×240×24 mm ISO 15 envelope; internal geometry and ratings legitimately differ between brands, so re-verify before substituting another manufacturer's 61838 in a rated drive. Where FAG has since released an X-life version of this size, its expanded C/C0 ratings supersede the HR 1 print values quoted here.
• FAG standard tolerance for this size is P0 (PN); P6/P5 precision executions exist for spindle-adjacent duty but carry different order numbers in the Schaeffler system — they are not a selectable sorting of standard stock.
• FAG sealed units arrive greased for life with a lithium-soap fill; Schaeffler quotes a shelf life for greased bearings and recommends running stock first-in-first-out rather than re-greasing aged sealed units.