61838 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 61838 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 190 x 240 x 24 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 190 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 240 mm |
| Width B | 24 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 76.1 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 98 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 2.8 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 5300 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 3200 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 2250 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 61838 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-24 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-24
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 | 7.48 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 9.449 in |
| Width B | 0.945 in |
| ISO bore code | 38 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 25 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) | 41 of 74 |
| Bore above smallest 61800-series size | 189 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61838-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 190×240×24 mm envelope per ISO 15; catalogue load ratings differ by >10% — re-rate the application before substituting. |
| 61838 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; standard interchange — confirm clearance class and precision with the supplier. |
| 61838-NSK | NSK | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 61838-RSR | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 190×240×24 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (OPEN vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 61838-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 190×240×24 mm envelope per ISO 15; catalogue load ratings differ by >10% — re-rate the application before substituting. |
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 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 SKF catalogue this open execution carries the bare designation; protected variants are ordered separately as -2Z and -2RSH.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- packaging machinery
- space-constrained gearboxes
- clutch and transmission assemblies
- robotics and automation joints
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- fretting corrosion on a loose shaft seat
- cage damage from operation beyond the limiting speed
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Mount this 190 mm bore bearing by heating the inner ring (induction heater, max 120 °C) — never drive it home through the outer ring or balls, that brinells the raceways.
- 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.
- The open 61838 has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 190×240×24 mm raceway, so specify a sealed arrangement for dusty or washdown duty.
- Storage matters for open bearings: 61838 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.
- Assign fits by which ring rotates: an interference shaft fit for a rotating inner ring; if the outer ring rotates instead, reverse the logic — a loose rotating ring creeps and frets its seat.
- Shaft and housing fillets must clear the bearing chamfer so the 24 mm-wide ring seats square; provide an undercut or withdrawal groove instead of relying on an oversized radius.
- The open 61838 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 61838-2Z (shields) and 61838-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 61838.
- The 76.1/98 kN ratings here are SKF Explorer-class figures from catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018); SKF can revise internal geometry and ratings without changing the designation, so treat the catalogue version and date as part of the specification and re-verify for critical drives.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 61838 bearing?
A 61838 deep-groove ball bearing has a 190 mm bore, 240 mm outer diameter and 24 mm width (7.48 × 9.449 × 0.945 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is an open bearing with no seals or shields.
What does no suffix on 61838 mean?
A bare 61838 designation means open: no shields or seals, normal CN radial clearance and P0 normal tolerance unless further suffixes are ordered. The application must supply and retain the lubrication.
How does the 61800 compare with other series at the same 190 mm bore?
618 is an extra-thin section: 240×24 mm, only 25.0 mm radial section at 190 mm bore, far smaller than a 6238, for space-limited layouts at the cost of load rating and misalignment tolerance.
Are 61838 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 61838 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (190×240×24 mm). Load ratings, limiting speeds, clearance, precision class and sealing design can differ, so verify those in the supplier catalogue when substituting.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 61838?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 61838 — the open (unsealed) execution, 190×240×24 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 76.1 kN, C0 98 kN, Pu 2.8 kN, limiting speed 3200 r/min, mass 2250 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 61838.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-24. Read our editorial & correction policy.