C3156 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3156 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 280 x 460 x 146 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 280 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 460 mm |
| Width B | 146 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 2850 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 4500 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 355 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1100 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 1400 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 94500 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3156 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings); 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 & C3100-series range
| Bore d | 11.024 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 18.11 in |
| Width B | 5.748 in |
| ISO bore code | 56 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 90 mm |
| Smallest bore in C3100-series | 100 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C3100-series | 1580 mm |
| Width range across C3100-series | 52–462 mm |
| Bore position in C3100-series (smallest first) | 10 of 28 |
| Bore above smallest C3100-series size | 180 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3156-K | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 280×460×146 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3156 K is the 1:12 tapered-bore K steel-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23156 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (280×460×146 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23156 CC/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23156 CC/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 23156-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (280×460×146 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23156 CCK/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23156 CCK/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
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 C3156 model number is decoded
In SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000, C 3156 denotes a toroidal roller bearing whose 146 mm long rollers crown at both ends: the contact accepts angular misalignment while the ring positions float, which is why CARB bearings are specified at the free shaft end. The designation C 3156 separates into C (CARB), 31 (dimension series), 56 (280 mm bore) and the bare number (cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel cage); envelope 280×460×146 mm follows the ISO 15 plan. The unsuffixed execution carries a pressed steel window cage — the balanced standard for the 280×460 mm size with 2850 kN dynamic and a 1,100 r/min reference speed. Float capacity is a selection criterion: the catalogue lists the permissible axial displacement (s) for the 146 mm wide set; size the free-end housing so thermal growth stays within it, not just inside the overall width. Open executions accept relubrication — route it through the outer-ring groove on sizes that have one and purge stale grease at service intervals. Grease through the annular groove features where provided; on open executions feed lubricant past the long roller set at assembly, since the 146 mm wide cavity does not fill itself.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- long fan and kiln main shafts where the free end must float without thrust load
- heavy industrial gearbox layshafts used as the non-locating position
- winder and reel drums in paper and steel strip plants
- paper machine drying cylinders and calender rolls with long, thermally expanding shafts
Known failure patterns
- raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after sustained overload
- roller skew and cage damage after the bearing is clamped solid between shaft and housing shoulders
- PA66 cage (TN9) softening when the sustained temperature passes the polymer limit
- condensation pitting in machines that run intermittently in humid environments
- oil starvation at the sliding contact zones of large spherical roller thrust bearings on forced-feed trips
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Above 200 mm bore these bearings weigh tens of kilograms (94.5 kg here) — lifting gear and induction heating are mandatory, and a cocked ring scores the toroidal raceway before start-up.
- Do not block the axial displacement in the drawing: housing covers, labyrinth rings and snap rings must leave the catalogue float (s) free, or the bearing silently becomes a poorly located fixed bearing.
- Envelope-identical spherical roller bearings (same ISO 15 d×D×B) are not drop-in equivalents — they locate the shaft axially, while C 3156 must float; the two are designed to be used as a pair.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 1,100 r/min reference speed is the thermal criterion under load, the limiting value is the mechanical ceiling; observe the reference under load unless the arrangement calculation says otherwise.
- The quoted 2850/4500 kN ratings belong to this exact execution (C 3156); VE240 vibrating-screen variants and sealed 2CS/2NS variants have their own figures even at the same envelope.
- The 2850/4500 kN ratings and 94500 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 864); mounting data — axial displacement (s) and seating details — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions and ratings of the C 3156?
A C 3156 measures 280 mm bore × 460 mm outside diameter × 146 mm width (11.024 × 18.11 × 5.748 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 2850 kN, static C0 4500 kN, fatigue limit Pu 355 kN, reference speed 1,100 r/min, limiting speed 1,400 r/min, mass about 94500 g.
Can a CARB bearing like C 3156 locate the shaft axially?
No — that is the defining feature. C 3156 deliberately allows the inner ring to float axially inside the outer ring while the toroidal rollers self-align. It must be paired with a separate locating bearing (spherical, tapered or angular contact) that takes 100 % of the thrust.
How is the C 3156 designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 31 = dimension series; 56 = 280 mm bore (code 56 × 5); suffix the bare number selects cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel cage. K is a 1:12 tapered bore for an adapter sleeve, K30 a 1:30 bore for a withdrawal sleeve.
What is the difference between V and TN9 CARB executions?
V is the full-complement execution with no cage — more rollers, higher C (2850 kN here) but a lower speed ceiling and no thermal reference speed. TN9 is the glass-fibre PA66 caged execution, faster and quieter at somewhat lower load. C 3156 is the cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, pressed steel cage.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.